Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legislation she plans to progress in 2013. [7308/13]

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.

I published the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013 on 8th February and I will initiate it in Seanad Eireann later today. It will be brought before this House at the earliest possible date.

It is my intention to publish the Child and Family Support Agency Bill and the Children First Bill as soon as possible during 2013.

The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill were published in the context of the Children’s Referendum. On the signing of the certificate of the 31st Amendment to the Constitution it is my intention to publish this Bill and to present it to the Oireachtas.

In relation to the Adoption (Tracing and Information) Bill the General Scheme and Heads of Bill have been drafted and a number of policy and legal issues are currently under consideration. It is my intention to publish this Bill during 2013.

It is also my intention to progress the Children (Amendment) Bill during 2013. Work is progressing on drafting a General Scheme and Heads of Bill to amend the Children Act 2001. The main purpose of the Bill is to amalgamate the children detention schools in the interests of achieving efficiencies. It is my intention to submit the draft General Scheme and Heads of Bill to Government for approval as soon as possible.