Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
1025. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the commitments in the Programme for Government within her remit; if the commitment has been met or is in the process of being met; the estimated time for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34675/13]
View answerThe time line for delivery of the commitments in the Programme for Government is over the lifetime of the Government.
The following is a list of my Department's commitments in the Programme for Government and their current implementation status.
|
Programme for Government Commitment |
Status |
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A referendum to amend the Constitution to ensure that children’s rights are strengthened, along the lines recommended by the All-Party Oireachtas committee. |
Completed |
|
We will maintain the free pre-school year in Early Childhood Care and Education to promote the best outcomes for children and families. We will improve the quality of the pre-school year by implementing standards and reviewing training options. |
Ongoing €9.5m additional funding provided in 2012 to maintain universality and meet increased demand due to increased birth rate. |
|
As resources allow, this Government will invest in a targeted early childhood education programme for disadvantaged children, building on existing targeted pre-school supports for families most in need of assistance such as the youngballymun project. |
In Progress |
|
We will end the practice of sending children to St. Patrick’s Institution. |
In Progress. Practice of detaining 16 year olds in St Patrick's has ceased. €50m in capital funding secured for development of national child detention facilities at Oberstown. |
|
We will fundamentally reform the delivery of child protection services by removing child welfare and protection from the HSE and creating a dedicated Child Welfare and Protection Agency, reforming the model of service delivery and improving accountability to the Dáil. |
In Progress. Child and Family Agency Bill published on 12 July 2013. |
|
We are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Ryan Report including putting the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing and legislating for the use of “soft information”. |
In Progress |
|
We will enact legislation to consolidate and reform the law on adoption. |
In Progress |
|
A new approach is needed to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched. We will adopt a new area based approach to child poverty, which draws on best international practice and existing services to tackle every aspect of child poverty. Initially, this model will be rolled out to up to ten of Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities, in cooperation with philanthropic partners to co-fund and manage the project. |
€14.85m in Exchequer funding, and 50% co-funding from a Philanthropic partner, have been sourced to support a new Area-Based Approach to Child Poverty Programme. Work is at an advanced stage to transition 3 existing sites into the new programme, and a number of new areas are expected to enter the programme before the end of the year |
