26 Apr 2012, 17:01
The Committee on Health and Children is inviting submissions from interested groups and stakeholders on the Heads of the Children First Bill which was published yesterday by Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD.
The purpose of the Bill is to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory basis.
The Minister has sent the Heads of the Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consultation before the Bill is finalised.
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “This is the first time that the Joint Committee on Health and Children has been asked to provide its input into the Heads of a Bill. We are delighted to have this opportunity to feed into a crucial piece of legislation. This will allow members of the Committee to be fully informed and enable us to provide meaningful input into the legislation, make observations and suggestions before the bill comes before the Dáil and Seanad.
It is also an opportunity for key stakeholders to contribute to the drafting of this legislation which will provide the necessary safeguards to protect children and combat child abuse and neglect. To allow for greater input from stakeholders, the Committee has decided to invite written submissions from interested groups in relation to proposals for possible inclusion in this Bill.
As part of the consultation process, we will also be meeting with various groups and stakeholders over the coming month to get their input. It is important that we get the views and perspectives of those working in child protection and youth services so that their contributions can help inform the legislative process. Given the importance of the proposed legislation, the Committee has agreed to concentrate on the Bill for the next five weeks and written submissions are requested to be submitted to the Joint Committee no later than 4th May 2012.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
ENDS
Committee Membership:
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fine Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
David Cullinane, Sine Fein
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fine Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent