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

There is a huge amount of work being done in respect of the finalisation of the legislation. In view of the fact that we are close to completion, I am of the view that it would be preferable to publish the legislation in full. I appreciate the response of the staff involved to date. Last month we issued personal letters to almost 4,000 staff informing them of the plans to establish the new agency. It is intended that their employment will transfer upon establishment. A communication and information exercise is taking place in respect of all of the staff who will be involved with the new agency. I appreciate that they want the agency to be formally established through legislation. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the legislation will be brought before the House as soon as possible.

The Deputy will appreciate the scale of both the legislation and the work involved. As outlined, this is one of the largest public sector reform projects with which the Government is engaged. There is a need to get matters right. For example, we must ensure that the necessary financial systems will be ready and available to allow the agency to do its work. This is just one of a number of elements involved. Quite an amount of work has already been done. The senior management team has been recruited and negotiations with staff and unions are ongoing. The reform project in this area is being driven forward strongly by the CEO of the child and family support agency. A number or areas, including the reform of residential care, are being considered in this regard. There will be a need for national campaigns on a number of issues. In addition, reform is taking place in respect of data management. The latter was a major issue in the past, particularly as it was not possible to obtain consistent data. All of the background work is being done in respect of this matter, which is an absolute priority within my Department. As already highlighted, the scale of the work involved is very large. However, that work is being done and I hope the legislation will be brought before the House this term.

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