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

Since 1980 we have had 17 major reports on child protection failings in Ireland. There is a huge job to be done to change that situation. It is a shameful legacy. The reform of child protection and of children's services is a key priority for me and the Government. The establishment of the new child and family support agency is a key step in this ambitious and comprehensive reform programme. The majority of staff will transfer from the HSE whose salary structure was being used for the senior management positions. An independent process was put in place to recruit the staff. It was independent of the Department. It is extremely important that we have the very best managers to do the task that needs to be done to manage the services. I have already outlined to the House on several occasions the huge job that must be done to disaggregate the work of the child and family services within the HSE and the difficulties in doing that. I have highlighted the need for a national finance system, for accountability and reforms at national level and for policy to be outlined at national level. This management team is undertaking all of that. I am very confident that the team will deliver a world-class service which is what we should have for children, particularly the most vulnerable ones.

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