Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

It is quite the opposite. The Deputy's Government made no assessment of the situation and did no audit. In addition, it left the services in a state where it is unclear precisely what is happening around the country. The previous Government promised to introduce legislation by 2010 to put Children First on a statutory basis, but did not do so. Since coming into office, I have worked on the heads of a Bill that will shortly be available. We have put on the A-list legislation to underpin the Children First legislation. We have an audit going on so that we get consistent information. We have a changed work programme within the HSE which consists of a new child protection handbook and new guidance. The director, along with myself, are meeting all frontline staff throughout the country who are able to attend those meetings to discuss consistent implementation. That is what I would call taking action to address the child protection system in this country, which is badly in need of such action.

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