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

As I have said in response to a previous question, the legislative priorities for this Dáil session are to introduce the child and family agency Bill, which is substantial legislation taking up a considerable amount of time and resources in my Department, and to finalise a revised general scheme and heads for the Children First Bill.

Drafting of the legislation to establish the child and family agency is progressing and the work is at an advanced stage. It will be brought to Government shortly for approval prior to publication. That will ensure we have the new agency under way and fulfil the Government commitment to establish a dedicated agency. It is a very complicated Bill bringing together the three agencies as I have outlined. I want to allow adequate time for consultation within this House and with stakeholders.

We have been examining the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on the Children First Bill and many operational and legal issues arise from the committee’s work. The committee suggested there should be as much consistency as possible between the Children First Bill and other recent legislation, including the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, which was passed by the Oireachtas in December. I have recently completed consultations with key experts in the child welfare and protection area on the Children First Bill. I held a consultation process after the committee completed its work and I held a further one recently. My Department has also liaised closely with officials in the Department of Justice and Equality, particularly those responsible for the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act. Officials are refining the proposed policy approach for submission to Government shortly. This will involve revision of the general scheme and heads of Bill and referral to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.

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