Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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325. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on his legislative proposals; and the proposals that will be brought before the Oireachtas. [36922/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, 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.

The Children First Bill, which will put aspects of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory basis, was initiated in Dail Eireann and the second Stage debate concluded in the last Dail session. It is intended that this Bill will be enacted during this Dail session.

It is my intention to publish the Children (Amendment) Bill 2014during this Oireachtas term. The Bill will provide for necessary amendments to the Children Act 2001. In particular, it will provide for the amalgamation of the children detention schools in the interests of cost/administrative efficiencies and the public interest. The Bill will also provide for a system of remission in the children detention schools for good behaviour, a number of amendments to remove references to the detention of children in the adult prison system and other necessary legal changes. A General Scheme for this Bill was approved by Government in April 2013 and a revised General Scheme was approved on 10 September 2014.

I intend to bring forward the Adoption (Tracing and Information) Billto provide a statutory basis for an Information and Tracing Service to applicants seeking information about adoptions and a statutory right to as much information as possible within Constitutional parameters. The Heads of Bill and General Scheme is currently being drafted and the policy and legal issues arising continue to be considered. Some legal considerations have given rise to a revised approach to dealing with some of the complex and sensitives issues being addressed in the Bill. It is intended that the Heads of Bill and General Scheme will be referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children during this Dail session.

It is also my intention to bring forward theChild Care (Amendment) Billwhich aims to impose a statutory obligation on the Child and Family Agency to provide an aftercare plan for children leaving care. The General Scheme was referred to the joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children earlier this year and the report of the Committee was received by my Department in mid July. Consideration is currently being given by my Department to the recommendations of the Committee with a view to finalising the policy approach in this matter, following which, I will seek Government approval for a revised General Scheme in this matter.

The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012 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 present it to the Oireachtas.