Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role the newly appointed Minister for Youth Affairs will have in juvenile justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27169/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have been assigned responsibilities in relation to children (under the age of 18 years) across three Government Departments; Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children, and Education and Science. My Office focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people and cross — cutting initiatives for children.

In so far as the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is concerned, the Minister has delegated to me the powers and duties conferred on the Minister under the Children Act, 2001. In the main, these powers relate to children detention schools and include functions such as the making of regulations, designating and certifying schools and various appointments.

In this regard, I attends cabinet meetings and will endeavour to continue the good work of my predecessor, Minister Smith, in relation to, for example, oversight of the implementation of the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008 — 2010 and leading on the development of children detention facilities. The Irish Youth Justice Service, an executive office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has responsibility for leading and driving reform in the area of youth justice and works in partnership with the my Office in providing co-ordinated strategic leadership across a number of Government Departments and Agencies.