Seán Ryan
Question:90 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that his Department complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9939/00]
Written Answers. - UN Conventions.
Ireland signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child without reservation. Before ratification, the Attorney General's office and the relevant Departments satisfied themselves that the convention was fully compatible with Irish law and with the Constitution.
Each Government Department is responsible for implementing those provisions of the convention which fall within its remit. I am satisfied that my Department is meeting its obligations in this regard but this issue is kept under review.
As the Deputy will be aware, proposals are currently being developed to establish an ombudsman for children and a children's strategy is being prepared. In addition, the Children Bill, 1999 sponsored by my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is currently before the Dáil. This Bill, when enacted, will bring about major reform in the areas of juvenile justice and will respond to the needs of vulnerable children in need of care and protection. My Department will shortly be undertaking a major review of its child care information systems, with a view to the development of a child care management information system.
These developments, including the very significant ongoing investment in our child care services, will address the major concerns expressed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its concluding observations on Ireland's first national report on the convention which was examined by the committee in January 1998.