Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the discussions she has had with representative bodies of professions for whom it will be obligatory to report under the upcoming mandatory reporting of child abuse legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26042/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First. The objective will be to ensure the greater protection of children by raising societal awareness of child abuse and the need to better safeguard children.

It is my intention that the legislation will reflect a broad based approach to compliance with obligations extending beyond reporting to one of safeguarding children at risk. My Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General in developing the best legislative means to underpin Children First. My Department will also be working with other relevant Government Departments and agencies, including professional regulatory bodies in formulating legislative proposals. With regard to relevant professional regulatory bodies, my Department has written to these bodies seeking their input and meetings are in the process of being arranged.

I am particularly interested in benefiting from the experience of these bodies with the implementation of the Children First Guidelines over the last decade. This experience will inform the implementation of the recently published revised Guidance and the Children First legislation which is planned to further strengthen implementation. I would hope that the legislative proposals which I will bring forward in this regard enjoy widespread support in the interests of protecting vulnerable children.