Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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426. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since the Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18429/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I would like to inform the Deputy that there are three agencies which are currently funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency and the Ombudsman for Children's Office.

Up to 31st December, 2013, my Department also funded the Family Support Agency (FSA) and the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The Child and Family Agency, established on 1st January 2014 under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, has statutory responsibility for services previously provided by the NEWB and FSA. In addition, the Agency has responsibility for children and family services previously delivered by the HSE together with domestic and sexual violence services, certain psychological welfare services, and preschool inspection services. The coming together under one Agency of such a range of services provides a platform for the delivery of more efficient and effective services to children and families. The remit of the Agency will contribute to the achievement of its overall vision, which is seeking to bring about greater integration of services with a focus on early intervention and community engagement.

As the new Agency subsumed all of the staff and functions of the NEWB and the FSA there have been no savings of any significance accruing. The achievement of establishing the Agency means that, for the first time, there is a dedicated body responsible for child care and protection in Ireland. However, it is envisaged that when the staff of the former FSA and NEWB move into Tusla's new building, there will be a full year saving of €112k based on rent.

In July 2011, the Government decided that the Family Mediation Service should transfer from the Family Support Agency to the Legal Aid Board. This is in line with the Government's commitment to facilitate the use of mediation in family disputes in order to speed up the legal process, reduce cost and ameliorate the stress of contested court proceedings. On 26th October 2011, the Minister for Justice and Equality signed the commencement order for Part 16 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 which gave effect to the transfer from 1st November 2011.

It should be noted that following enactment of the Child Care Amendment Act 2011 the Children's Act Advisory Board was subsequently dissolved by means of the commencement by the Minister of Health of Part 6 of the Child Amendment Act 2011.