Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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811. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the children's first legislation will go through all stages in the Oireachtas and be signed into law. [32649/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Children First Bill, 2014, which will put elements of the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011) on a statutory footing was published in April. It has completed second stage in the Dáil, and the remaining stages will be scheduled after the summer recess.

The introduction of this legislation is in line with a key Programme for Government commitment, which will be fulfilled. The timing of the commencement of the legislation will take cognisance of the fact that the various sectors which will have statutory obligations imposed on them by the legislation will need adequate time to prepare for implementation. Through the auspices of the Children First Interdepartmental Group, my Department is continuing to liaise with relevant Departments and Agencies regarding the preparations which each sector is undertaking in order to ensure that their statutory requirements under the legislation will be implemented.

In parallel to the legislative process, my officials have commenced an exercise to revise and update the existing Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011). This is to ensure that the Guidance, which will continue as the basis for all citizens to report concerns, reflects the new legislative obligations and provides, in one place, a complete reference resource for individuals and organisations. This will provide clarity and ensure consistency between the proposed legislation and the existing non-statutory obligations which will continue to operate administratively for all sectors of society.

The Children First legislation, once enacted and commenced, will represent an important and necessary addition to the child welfare and protection system.