James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was in 1982 that the late John Boland, a predecessor of mine from Dublin North, as Minister for Education, signed the instrument to ban it in schools, although the law did not change until some time afterwards.

The Revised Estimates Volume for 2016 which is being published today will confirm the significant additional resources secured in budget 2016 to deal with child related issues. In my Department these include an additional €85 million for a child care package and €38 million in additional funding for Tusla to place it on a firm financial footing and enable it to meet its obligations to children. Furthermore, through a Supplementary Estimate which will be considered by the Dáil select sub-committee tomorrow, 3 December, we aim to secure further moneys to allow Tusla to address legacy issues and over-runs from this year.

In accordance with the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, I hope to receive Tusla's draft business plan for 2016. I have recently issued my performance statement to Tusla outlining the areas I would like to see addressed, with particular attention on the measures for which additional financial resources have been secured.

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