Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Darragh O'Brien and van Turnhout and many other Senators commented on the children's rights referendum. The result is a momentous one and it reflects many years of work on the part of the Oireachtas and others. What is clear is that the electorate has endorsed the proposition that children's rights and protections be expressly recognised in the Constitution. This is part of a wider change in the process being led by the Government which recognises the failures of the past and puts in place more robust child protection laws and services.

The Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 has been enacted and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 will be brought before the House soon. The heads of a Children First Bill have been published and debated by the Oireachtas committee dealing with health matters. An amending adoption Bill has been published to inform referendum deliberations. In the coming week the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will publish the child and family support agency Bill to provide for the establishment of a dedicated child welfare and protection agency early next year. That is what will happen in the future.

I agree with Members who have called for a debate on the Supreme Court judgment when it is published and I will have no problem in facilitating such a debate. There is no question that it is regrettable that only 32% of the electorate voted. People have spoken about Saturday voting and the jury is still out on the issue. When the Supreme Court judgment is published, I will facilitate a debate in the House on the matter.

The issue of home help has been raised for the past three weeks by Senator Drragh O'Brien and others. As I stated in the past three weeks, the Government is committed to supporting older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. It has invested approximately ¤320 million in home help and home care packages this year. A review of individual needs is ongoing. I have spoken at length on the subject in recent weeks but the position has not changed. The process will be reviewed in the new year and it is the Government's position that people should be supported with dignity and independence in their own homes. That is the way to go.