Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she plans to put the children first guidelines on a statutory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58165/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which I published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First.

The Deputy will be aware that I published the Heads of the Children First Bill in April 2012. The purpose of publishing the Heads was to allow for a full consultation at an early stage in the developing the Bill.

I asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to consider the Heads of the Children First Bill and make recommendations. I received their comprehensive Report and my Department is currently considering the broad range of submissions to, and recommendations of the Joint Committee.