Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I recognise this is a difficulty, which is precisely why the Government on my nomination created a senior Ministry to deal with children and youth affairs. Over the years, I have heard many examples of parents who were frustrated and driven to the point of despair trying to access facilities, resources and rights for their children, covering a broad spectrum. In many instances, they had to face court cases to get facilities from Departments of State. This is why the Minister for Children will seek to address these problems. I recall that when the former Minister of State, Austin Currie, was appointed with responsibility for children many years ago, he discovered that sections of various Departments had never consulted with each other, had never met each other, and in some cases did not even know that sections existed in other Departments. This is why the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will bring clarity and action to this area. The legislation setting up her Department will be published on 3 June and will give definition and responsibility in an area we consider to be an absolute priority. That is reflected in the appointment of a senior Cabinet Minister to deal with it.

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