Vol. 552 No. 1
397 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he supports the work of the Daisy Chain Movement to improve the welfare of vulnerable children world-wide; if he or another Government representative will attend a UN conference to be held on this issue in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11912/02]
The Daisy Chain Movement in Ireland is a one-person organisation. The individual wrote to the Taoiseach's office at the end of March. As the Deputy will be aware, the United Nations General Assembly on Children was due to be held in New York in September 2001 and I was to attend at that time. The assembly on children will now be convened from 8 to 10 May 2002. This will be preceded by the World Children's Forum on 6 and 7 May. The Government will be represented at the assembly. Through the National Children's Office, I have been working closely to develop an agreed outcome document which is a comprehensive framework to improve the welfare of all vulnerable children world-wide. This work is being developed in co-operation with the leading national voluntary agencies here. The national children's strategy is Ireland's framework plan to tackle the issues affecting vulnerable children in Ireland.
