Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the introduction of protocols that would require political parties to put in place child protection policies in line with other voluntary organisations that have a youth element; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2126/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children [2011] is the current national policy which sets out the non-statutory child protection requirements which are in place for all sectors of society. This would include the youth element of political parties. Any person, or persons, who run an organisation which provides services to children and young people should be aware of, and comply with, their child protection obligations as set out in Children First. Section 4.7.2 of the Guidance provides that all statutory, voluntary and community organisations working with and in direct contact with children should have procedures and guidelines derived from and consistent with the current Children First: National Guidance. Our Duty to Care: The Principles of Good Practice for the Protection of Children and Young People, published in 2002, offers specific guidance to the community and voluntary sectors on the promotion of child protection and welfare practices.

The Children First Bill, 2014, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, will place key elements of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory basis once it is enacted and commenced. In effect, this means that providers of relevant services will acquire a number of statutory obligations. Under the Bill, providers of relevant services are defined as organisations which employ one or more persons. Relevant services are listed in Schedule 1 of the Children First Bill and include educational, research, training, cultural, recreational, leisure, social and physical activities. Once the Bill is commenced, a provider of relevant services will be required to undertake a risk assessment of the potential harm which could come to a child while availing of the services, and to then prepare a Child Safeguarding Statement which outlines the policies and procedures which are in place to mitigate the risks identified. Furthermore, certain persons who are mandated persons under the Bill, will be required by the legislation to report child welfare and protection concerns. These would include persons employed as safeguarding or child protection officers in organisations providing services to children.

In parallel to the legislative process, my officials are currently revising and updating the existing Children First National Guidance. 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.

Requirements in relation to the vetting of persons who work with children are a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. The Deputy should refer to the website of that Department for further information, including in relation to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012.