Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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521. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to respond to proposals (details supplied) from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46609/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A significant amount of work has been done by this Government and there are many challenges ahead in the areas highlighted by the ISPCC and others interested in the rights of children.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020) identifies five national outcomes towards which all of Government, and indeed all of society, must work to achieve for children and young people. The Framework centralises and coordinates key policy commitments for children and young people across Government, and commits to measuring progress against the national outcomes. It also establishes a robust implementation infrastructure. The ISPCC is included in this infrastructurethrough an Advisory Council that brings together key members of the community and voluntary sector, as well as independent experts with experience in children and youth affairs.

The primary responsibility for policy in relation to the treatment and support for young people with mental health and addiction issues lies with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, works closely with a range of care providers in respect of access to mental health, primary care, disability and other services. The Office for Internet Safety is an Executive Office of the Department of Justice and Equality with lead responsibility for internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children. The Department of Education and Skills also has an important role to play in educating young people in the responsible use of the Internet. The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has primary policy and operational responsibility for homelessness affecting families, while the Direct Provision System is within the policy and operational remit of the Department of Justice and Equality.

Tusla is funded by my Department and has a significant role in the areas of child protection, early intervention, family support and educational welfare. Central to its role is that of strengthening inter-agency cooperation to ensure the seamless provision of such services. Tusla commenced a new Emergency Out-of-Hours Social Work Service in November 2015 in partnership with An Garda Síochána. Tusla also provides funding to voluntary organisations offering a range of counselling and support services to children and families including child counselling, made available to those who could not otherwise afford it.

The Children First Act 2015 was signed into law by the President on 19 November 2015. The Act aims to ensure that the best interests of the child are paramount in the performance by Tusla of its statutory functions. The Act also provides that organisations providing services to children will have to consider the potential for risk to children availing of their services and produce child safeguarding statements which will be available to parents and the public generally. The Act will operate side-by-side with the Children First National Guidance,which will continue as the basis for all citizens to report concerns.

Much of the above is aimed at ensuring appropriate responses to a complex range of issues which, if allowed to remain unchecked, can have detrimental impacts on a child or young person.