Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am firmly committed to the transformation of Ireland’s child and family services and, in this context, the establishment as a priority of the new child and family support agency. The agency, on its establishment, will assume full statutory responsibility for a range of child and family services currently provided by three separate agencies, namely, the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board.

Last July I published the report of the task force on the establishment of the child and family support agency. Following consideration of the task force’s detailed recommendations, in November the Government approved the general scheme and heads of the Child and Family Support Agency Bill. Drafting of the legislation necessary to establish the agency in line with the general scheme is at an advanced stage. This will be very comprehensive legislation, providing as it does for subsuming functions from three separate agencies and assigning very onerous responsibilities relating to the care and protection of children and the promotion of their welfare. Subject to finalisation and approval by the Government, it is my intention to present the legislation to the Oireachtas during the current term.

I thank the Deputy for his support in respect of the establishment of the new agency. A precise date in respect of its establishment will be set when consideration of the legislation by the Oireachtas has advanced. While the legislative process is under way, all necessary organisational preparations will continue in parallel. It is important not to underestimate the scale of the work which must be done in terms of setting up the agency or the level of change that will be involved. We want a carefully planned approach to be adopted in respect of such large-scale change within this crucial area of the public service.

When established, the agency will constitute one of the largest public bodies in the State and will have a staff of over 4,000 and a budget of over €550 million. This is one of the largest and most ambitious public sector reform projects being undertaken by the Government. A number of significant milestones have already been achieved. These include the separation of children and family services within the HSE from other health and personal social services and a national change programme. In addition, an industrial relations, IR, process is under way and I thank those involved with this because they have resolved many of the issues which have inevitably arisen along the way. Furthermore, the development of dedicated children and families responsibility and accountability at area, regional and national management team levels is ongoing. Much of what will be reflected in the legislation has already been done and many of the systems that will have to be put in place either have been or are currently being developed. A team is working on these matters at present. I will certainly provide the Deputy with further details on the other aspects of the work which have been progressed.

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