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

I can confirm that all members of the board are in place and that a number of board meetings have taken place. I am not in a position to advise the Deputy on sub-committees yet. I am simply not aware whether the board has yet taken a decision on the exact number of sub-committees. As soon as I have that information, I will let the House know. I imagine the board is still examining the work it must do in deciding on the best way forward.

It has already done a considerable amount of work as a board and I am sure that is a decision it will be considering.

I am not in a position to indicate whether the organisation to which the Deputy referred will have direct representation. Its interests will certainly be represented, however, and family support remains a key objective for the agency. The organisation in question plays a positive role in regard to family resource centres and I have no doubt that role will remain. I am sure the form of consultation with it will also continue as heretofore. The board includes people who represent the interests of family resource centres and support networks.

In regard to the Deputy's second question, this area requires further discussion. We have made the decision that certain groups of staff and organisations will be under the agency. We need to discuss the future of mental health services with a view to reaching agreements between child and adolescent mental health services and the agency in order to put in place the best possible arrangements. Mental health services are critical to the work of the agency. Discussions have commenced in this regard and I will be examining the issue further in the course of this year.

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