Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2012
227. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a North South Co-operation unit in her Department; the number of staff working in the North South Co-operation unit; the number of staff who have worked in the North South Co-operation unit in each year since 2007. [46612/12]
View answerWhile there is no dedicated North South Co-operation Unit in my Department, officials engage with their counter-parts in Northern Ireland on issues of mutual concern and importance. For example, there is a very positive engagement, both at Ministerial and at official level, in developing co-operation in the area of child welfare and protection services.Work in this area to-date has concentrated on five areas:
(i) the establishment of the North South Child Protection Hub, a dedicated on-line child protection resource;
(ii) the development of an "Inter-Jurisdictional Protocol for the Transfer of Child Care cases between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland";
(iii) a review of vetting and barring arrangements in both jurisdictions;
(iv) the development of a joint communication strategy to promote awareness of child welfare and protection; and
(v) promoting internet safety in the area of child welfare and protection.
The new Child and Family Support Agency will also have a very important role to play in advancing practical co-operation with our colleagues in Northern Ireland in this important area.
