Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ministerial Responsibilities.

Willie Penrose

Question:

44 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the specific responsibilities of the Minister of State in relation to children; the strategy followed in addressing these issues; and the priority areas for attention in 1999. [18896/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

As Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for children I have delegated responsibility for the Child Care Act, 1991, and the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1991.

In February of this year I was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The powers delegated to me in those two Departments are listed in S.I. Nos. 29 and 30 of 1998.

I chair the interdepartmental co-ordinating team comprising officials of the three Departments which meets regularly to discuss policy issues concerning children. I have approved a work programme with my officials which reflects the priorities outlined in the Department of Health and Children's statement of strategy, An Action Programme for the Millennium and relevant Government decisions.

I am currently co-ordinating the preparation of a national policy for children which will reflect the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The national policy, when finalised, will provide a basis on which to link policies which affect children across all Departments. This will allow the State to respond to one of the major issues raised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in connection with its examination of Ireland's First National Report on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.