Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific powers he intends to delegate to Ministers of State in his Department. [5247/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach announced in Dáil Éireann on 9 March 2011 his intention to establish a Department of Children and I was subsequently appointed the Minister for Children and assigned to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs as an interim measure.

I have been advised that primary legislation is required to establish the new Department of Children and the Department of Finance is currently liaising with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to this legislation. As no Minister of State will be assigned to the Department of Children, the issue of delegating powers to such a Minister will not arise.

The Deputy will also be aware that Ms. Kathleen Lynch, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Equality and Mental Health and Mr. Dinny McGinley, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs, have been assigned to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. I have been advised that draft Orders transferring Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Gaeltacht functions from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to other newly reconfigured Departments, are being prepared and that once these functions have been transferred, it will be a matter for the relevant Minister to delegate the functions, as appropriate, to the respective Ministers of State.