Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she will bring forward regulations to allow for the reporting of child welfare and protection proceedings. [40716/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I indicated when I published the report of the Independent Child Death Review Group that I welcome the findings and recommendations of this report, and that I accept fully the need for action in the areas identified. It was my clear intention that the report would enter the public domain and inform debate and discussion about the level of State and other services being offered to children and young adults in need of intervention and/or assistance.

By publishing the report the Government has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and honesty about the challenges in getting children’s services right. A key component of this commitment is the need for transparency around court proceedings relating to child welfare and protection issues. My Department is currently taking the necessary steps to support the putting in place of an appropriate methodology to allow for appropriate reporting of such issues. In this regard my Department is preparing the necessary regulations to allow for such reporting to take place. It is not possible to provide a definitive date at this time for the completion of the regulations. However, this project is being afforded a high priority in my Department and it is my intention to have the regulations completed and the project commenced in the near future.