Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her response to a survey carried out by the Ombudsman for Children which indicated that 72% of Irish people believe that the State could do more to support children’s rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38714/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Ombudsman for Children is an independent officer of the State and accounts for her statutory functions to the Oireachtas. As Minister, I have certain functions and responsibilities for the Ombudsman for Children's Office under the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002. This primarily relates to governance matters, most notably the funding of the Ombudsman for Children's Office through the Vote of my Department.

The Ombudsman for Children performs a very valuable ongoing role in advancing the rights and welfare of children in Ireland since her appointment to that role in 2003. In addition to her complaints and investigation functions, the Ombudsman for Children makes valuable ongoing contributions to Oireachtas Committees, provides advices to Government on legislation, policy and practices and raises public awareness of issues impacting on the lives of children and families. I am also aware that the Ombudsman for Children's Office is constantly engaging with all relevant Government Departments about children's rights through their complaints and investigations, legislative, participation and education functions.

I am in agreement with Ms. Logan that the absence of clearer protection for children's rights in the Constitution has had an adverse effect on children across a wide range of areas and that the State could do more to support Children's Rights. The recent referendum on the rights of children is clear testament to the fact that this Government is committed to putting the rights and welfare of children at the centre of our policy considerations and delivery of services in Ireland.

At the recent 13th European Regional Conference of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect held in Dublin, the Taoiseach gave his personal commitment to righting the wrongs of our past including our child protection failings and I echo the sentiments expressed by him. As Minster for Children and Youth Affairs I have responsibility for implementing this challenging agenda.

As the first Government Department dedicated to children and young people, my Department has already brought a considerable focus to areas such as children in detention, in the care system or at risk of homelessness. In addition I believe that the forthcoming establishment of the Child and Family Agency will bring a dedicated focus to child protection, family support and other key children's services for the first time in the history of the State and promote a focus on the rights of children, particularly vulnerable children in its work with other agencies.

This will be further strengthened, in law, with the enactment in the coming months of Ireland's Children First Bill which will introduce a statutory requirement for inter-agency working and sharing-of-information which I am confident will help the further the advancement of children's right's in Ireland.