Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of her Department's reform of the guardian ad litem service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45936/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department is currently finalising the drafting of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2018, which provides for reform of the Guardian ad litem service, with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Work is being progressed with a view to publishing the Bill as soon as possible.

A small project team is also working to plan for the establishment of the Guardian ad litem service within an executive office in my Department at the earliest possible date following enactment of the legislation.

My Department has established an Expert Reference Panel to provide additional specialised advice and opinion to the Department on a number of key operational aspects of the new Guardian ad litem service.

Officials are also organising a consultation with children and young people who are or have been involved in child care proceedings, with the assistance of the Child and Family Agency, to ensure that the views and opinions of children and young people play a central role in the design of the new service.