Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff in her Department specifically assigned to monitoring EU policy developments; if these staff are based here or in Brussels; if her Department does not have staff specifically assigned to monitor EU policy developments when last, if ever, were such staff specifically assigned to such a role. [20384/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was established on June 4th on foot of a government order which also transferred a significant range of functions to me as Minister. Further transfer of powers will be required by primary legislation and subsequent government orders, beginning with the Child Care (Amendment) Bill which is to be reintroduced to the Dáil at Report Stage next week. The Government recently appointed the Department's first Secretary-General.

My new Department brings together policy and programme functions in a wide range of areas:

· Child Protection & Welfare

· Children's & Youth Participation

· Youth Affairs and Youth Work

· Early Childhood Care & Education

· Family Support

· Irish Youth Justice Service

· National Education Welfare Board

· Adoption & Fostering

I am currently putting in place the administrative structures of the Department and while the monitoring of EU policy developments will be an integral part of the work of the Department it has not yet been decided if a permanent presence is required in Brussels for this purpose. Any decisions in this regard will have regard to the current economic situation.