Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
1109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs arising from any specific weaknesses identified by her Department in respect of child support services, the action she has taken or proposes to take to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17599/13]
View answerIt 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. In response to these failings, I am committed to the establishment of a new Child and Family Agency.
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 more universally - providing less complex, less intrusive, less expensive responses which have a preventive function.
The Agency will function on a stand alone basis with strengthened governance and management arrangements. Accountability and transparency will be a key feature at the planning and performance management frameworks to be introduced in the legislation.
The success of the Agency will depend on the right legislative framework, the right leadership and the right planning for the change. That is why adequate time has to be taken. It is clear that all of these requisites are the focus of intense activity by my officials, the HSE and Child and Families management within the HSE.
I am confident that these arrangements will provide a robust framework to fully implement the ambitious agenda for children’s service reform.
