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. The new Agency and the wider transformation of children's services represents on the of the largest, and most ambitious, areas of public sector of reform embarked upon by this Government.
The necessary legislation 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. It is my intention that the Child and Family Support Agency will assume statutory responsibility for services for children and families in January 2013.