Skip to main content
Normal View

Proposed Legislation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2013

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Questions (23)

Denis Naughten

Question:

23. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will confirm that all child care services provided by persons employed outside the child’s own home will be subject to the provisions of the children first Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38608/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that I published the Draft Heads and General Scheme for the Children First Bill 2012 in April 2012 and immediately referred the Heads of Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consideration and advice. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children published their report in July 2012. A number of submissions were received as part of the Committee's consultation process. Overall there was a welcome that the legislation would increase the focus on child protection. The contributions in the main came from organisations already implementing Children First. Since then my Department and I have carried out international research and held further consultations with experts and key stakeholders, including other relevant Departments and statutory agencies, to discuss and review the complex matters arising and the development of the final Bill.

It is also essential that the related and relevant legislation is compatible with and will complement the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act and the Criminal Justice (Withholding Information on Crimes Against Children and Intellectually Disabled Persons) Act.

Revised Heads and General Scheme of the Children First Bill and drafting of this legislation by parliamentary counsel has been approved by Government. The proposed Children First Bill will place obligations on professionals working with children to report suspected child protection concerns, to share information and to engage in inter-agency and multi-disciplinary working and that organisations working with children will have safe practices and policies in place.

It is my intention that establishments which provide pre-school services or school age services within the meaning of Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 will be subject of the legislation.

Top
Share