Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Deputy McGrath has asked a series of questions on how the Government is dealing with the protection of children and services for them. This Government established a new Department of Children and Youth Affairs and appointed a Cabinet Minister to oversee the issue of protecting children and the delivery of services to children and youths. The Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has announced Government legislation relating to the withholding of information and I described earlier the kind of crimes committed against children. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has also brought forward legislation in this regard, and the child and family support agency will add to this. Supports are being provided for families, which is very important and has been a priority for the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald. There is also a very strong emphasis on a new inspection regime dealing with the provision of services and supports for children.

In summary, this Government has given a top priority to the protection of children and the provision of support for children, and in time that will be reflected in the referendum on children's rights that is being progressed by the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald.

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