Dan Neville
Question:198 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of interdepartmental meetings which have taken place to agree the legislation for the establishment of an office of ombudsman for children. [19281/99]
Written Answers - Ombudsman for Children.
Dan Neville
Question:199 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made on the introduction of legislation to establish an office of ombudsman for children. [19282/99]
Dan Neville
Question:206 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the proposals, if any, to establish a children's ombudsman; the terms of reference of the committee examining this matter; the membership of the committee; the number of meetings held; and the timescale envisaged for reporting. [18583/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 199 and 206 together.
The Government agreed on 26 July 1999 to the establishment of an ombudsman for children in 2000.
In accordance with this decision, officials of my Department have been working on the preparation of proposals, taking account of the international experience in relation to similar offices and the views already expressed on this issue by the relevant groups working in the child care area.
These proposals will be submitted shortly for consideration by a high-level inter-departmental committee. This inter-departmental committee was established in September on foot of a Government decision.
The committee has been given the following tasks: the preparation of the national children's strategy; the preparation of proposals for the establishment of an ombudsman for children; and the preparation of proposals for the early establishment of structures to support the development of an integrated child care policy. The committee will also have a role in the preparation of Ireland's second national report under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The following Departments are represented on the committee: Health and Children (Chair); Social, Community and Family Affairs; Education and Science; Tourism; Sport and Recreation; Environment and Local Government; Finance and the Taoiseach. The committee will consult with other Departments and other statutory and non-statutory agencies in the course of its work.
In relation to the ombudsman for children, I hope to have proposals ready for consideration by Government before the end of the year.