Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that her office has access to the requisite number of qualified staff to ensure the operation of children's protection as envisaged in the Children First legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31536/17]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Children First Act 2015 was enacted in November 2015 and it is the intention that it will be fully commenced by the end of 2017.
Each Government Department is responsible for making the necessary arrangements to ensure compliance with the Children First Legislation and Guidance in the Department and in its funded services.
My Department will be responsible for compliance with Children First among the staff of my Department and my Department's funded services.
To assist in this, officials in my Department participate in the statutory Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group. My Department also has an internal Departmental Children First Oversight Group whose purpose is to make the necessary preparations within my Department for full commencement of the Children First legislation. All Units of my Department are currently reviewing the range of their responsibilities to identify their safeguarding responsibilities.
Finally, the Management Board of my Department monitors progress to ensure that all staff in my Department will be in a position to fully comply with the provisions of the legislation and to ensure that the necessary governance assurance mechanisms will be in place in relation to the relevant services funded by my Department.
