Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy can see from the fairly detailed reply I have provided that quite a number of the functions have been transferred. One function regarding youth justice is outstanding and, for budgetary reasons among others, it is intended that will be transferred on 1 January. We will work jointly on this because it is not being transferred in its entirety. Part of the work relating to the Garda diversion programmes will stay with the Department of Justice and Equality.

Establishing a new agency is a complex task. I have set up a task force, which has met and is working on establishing a new child and family agency. I do not have a timeframe for the task force for that but it is creating the vision for the new agency in association with the Department and myself. We are examining the transfer of responsibilities from the HSE. This is a period of change and it will not happen overnight. I do not have a precise timetable for the establishment of the agency because it is a complex task. I will attempt to examine the governance issues first and try to put the legislative base in place that will be needed by the agency as soon as possible in order that we can move forward with the legislation.

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