Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 October 2012
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will indicate, based on the experiences over the past ten years, the extent to which she expects to make provision in respect of child protection services at all levels throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47100/12]
View answer210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has studied the inadequacies of child protection policies in the past with a view to identification of the provision of the necessary structures to address such deficiencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47101/12]
View answer211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will indicate where the greatest deficiency in child support services has been illustrated; the manner in which she expects to deal with such failures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47102/12]
View answer214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which any specific deficiencies in child support services have been identified; the procedures in place to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47105/12]
View answer219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to set up a comprehensive and integrated children’s support and youth service with particular reference to the need of early identification of the issues of concern; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47110/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 211, inclusive, 214 and 219 together.
It is clear from the wide range of investigation reports over many years which examined cases where children were not adequately protected, that there have been many failures of the past. These failures can be attributed to a number of factors including systemic issues regarding consistency, quality of service delivery, data management and risk management systems both within and outside of child protection systems. In response to these failings, I am firmly committed to the transformation of Ireland’s child protection and welfare services, and to the establishment of a new Child and Family Support Agency. I am particularly mindful of the consistent themes emerging in these published reports regarding the need for a significantly improved and better integrated approach to meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families.
The final report of the Task Force, which I established to advise on the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, made recommendations on a number of key issues. I share with the view of the Task Force that in order to achieve genuine improvements for children and families, the Agency must have a broader focus than child protection. Prevention, early intervention, family support and therapeutic & care interventions are all key to the provision of integrated multidisciplinary services for children and families based on identified need. It is my intention that the new Agency will address the persistent issues which have been raised regarding the standardisation of services, communication, coordination and sharing of risk assessment, management and treatment for many of the children and families with the most complex needs. At the same time, the Agency will have a role in supporting families - providing less complex, less intrusive, less expensive responses which have a preventive function.
The new Child and Family Support Agency and the wider transformation of children's services represents one of the largest, and most ambitious, areas of public sector of reform embarked upon by this Government. The establishment of the Agency, underpinned by legislation, and incorporating key children and family services, will provide a focus for the comprehensive change programme currently being implemented under the leadership of Gordon Jeyes, National Director of Child and Family Services and CEO designate for the new Agency. The change programme is designed to significantly enhance the level and consistency of child welfare and protection services. This change process will continue into the new Child and Family Support Agency.
The necessary legislation to establish the Agency is being prepared by my Department as a priority. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published and enacted in the course of this session, and it is my intention that the Child and Family Support Agency will assume statutory responsibility for services for children and families from the start of January 2013.
