Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her legislative priorities for 2011. [19838/11]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she will publish the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19892/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 73 together.

I have an extensive legislative programme in 2011 and beyond. My priorities for 2011 are to progress the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 to enactment and in that regard I would like to advise the House that the Bill will be reintroduced to the Dáil at Report Stage on Thursday next 14th July.

My intention is to progress the preparation of Children First legislation in 2011 to put the Children First National Guidelines on a statutory basis. In addition, the Child and Family Support Agency Bill is a priority and a range of matters relating to the new agency, including consideration of the various functions to be discharged and associated governance arrangements, will be addressed in advance of the preparation of Heads of Bill. In advance of this legislation to establish the Child and Family Support Agency for the delivery of child welfare and protection services, my Department is also examining putting in place legislative linkages between the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Health Service Executive in respect of the oversight of child welfare and protection services.

The Heads of Bill for a National Vetting Bureau have been progressed by my Department and it has recently been agreed that these will be finalised and brought to Government by the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence in association with my Department. The drafting of a Children's Referendum Bill will follow the consideration by Government of a revised draft wording amending the Constitution. This wording is currently being drafted by the Attorney General's Office in association with my Department and will be brought to Government as soon as this work is complete.

The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill is also a priority Bill and the Heads and General Scheme will be drafted in consultation with the Adoption Authority. I am very aware of the importance of an information and tracing service for adopted persons and their birth parents and I intend to progress this Bill as quickly as possible. I am not in a position to give a specific date for publication of the Bill at this time.