Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 696: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the integration of the Health Service Executives child protection services, the youth probation service and the national educational welfare board; the timeframe for the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36893/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Task Force which was set up to advise on the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, has submitted its final report to me. The report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and launched tomorrow, Friday 20th July. The report contains advice on a number of key issues which will inform the preparation of the necessary legislation to establish the new Agency. This includes advice on those services considered by the Task Force as falling within the remit of the Agency. The recommendations deserve careful and detailed consideration by myself and my officials. I will also need to consult with my Ministerial colleagues whose areas of responsibilities are referred to in the report.

Extensive work is under way in my Department, and in the HSE, to prepare for the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency. I am satisfied that we are making excellent progress in terms of the necessary preparatory work required to meet the Government's ambitious timetable, which will see the Agency assuming full statutory responsibility for services for children and families early in 2013.