Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If any further delay were to occur, I would be obliged to resubmit to the Minister my plea to the effect that the heads of the Bill should be published. I do not believe that doing so would in any way inhibit progress relating to the preparation of the legislation. It is my view that publishing the heads of Bills is good practice in all instances. I argued the matter with the previous Administration which, in principle at least, acceded to my request in terms of publication.

In the context of my question regarding the board of the new child and family support agency, the Minister did not refer to the position of the FRCs or the Family Resource Centre National Forum's representation within the current structure. Is she in a position to provide any certainty with regard to whether this important strata of service and support for families and children throughout the country at present will continue to be represented? There are four very fine FRCs in my constituency for which I have the highest regard and which I support. I will actually be visiting one of the centres - that which is located in Clones - on Monday next for its open day. Is the Minister in a position to provide an assurance that, in the context of the new arrangements, the existing level of board representation will continue and that the ethos and culture of FRCs and the programme of work they have already adopted will be maintained?

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