Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent if any to which she expects to advance child protection legislation in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15769/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have an extensive legislative programme to address child protection issues which fall within my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

It is my intention to bring the Children First Bill before the Oireachtas for consideration during 2012. This legislation is required to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, as far as practicable, on a statutory basis.

The Child and Family Support Agency Bill is also 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 and General Scheme. This legislation will provide for the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency which will be responsible for the delivery of services in the areas of child welfare, child protection and family support.

The Children's Referendum Bill will be drafted following the Government's approval of revised wording to amend the Constitution to acknowledge and affirm the rights of children. This wording is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General in association with my Department and will be brought to Government as soon as the wording is finalised. It is the Government's intention to hold this very important Referendum this year and to publish an Adoption Bill in advance of the Referendum.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects to finalise the national vetting bureau legislation; if she has had discussions with the various child protection agencies in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15770/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Work on the National Vetting Bureau Bill, which will include provisions in relation to the use of so called 'soft' information is being led by the Department of Justice and Equality. This Bill forms part of a suite of complementary legislative proposals being brought forward by Government. In addition to the National Vetting Bureau Bill, this includes the Children First Bill being developed by my Department and the Criminal Justice (Withholding Information) Bill under the Department of Justice and Equality. Given the close link between the legislative programmes of my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality I have regular contact with my colleague Minister Shatter in this regard.

In addition, officials from my Department have been meeting and working closely with colleagues in the Department of Justice and Equality to provide feedback on the legislation as it is being developed. Specifically, officials of my Department are participating on a working group which is providing feedback to the Department of Justice and Equality on the National Vetting Bureau Bill.