6 Jun 2012, 15:41
The Committee on Health and Children will continue its hearings on the Children First Bill today, 7th June when it meets with a number of key stakeholders and interest groups.
Gordon Jeyes, National Director, Children and Family Services, Health Service Executive, Prof Helen Buckley from the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College and Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Dr Geoffrey Shannon will attend the Committee meeting at 11.30am.
The purpose of the Bill is to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory basis.
The Minister has sent the Heads of the Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consultation before the Bill is finalised.
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “Minister Fitzgerald has asked the Committee to play an active role in preparing the Children First Bill and we are delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the drafting of this crucial piece of legislation. For the Children First legislation to be effective, we must engage with and have an open dialogue with those groups who will be working with it on a daily basis. Today we will have an opportunity to discuss the Heads of the Bill with a number of stakeholders and interested parties. Our meeting will also allow members of the Committee to be fully informed and enable us to provide meaningful input into the legislation, make observations and suggestions before the bill comes before the Dáil and Seanad.”
The meeting starts at 11.30am on Thursday, 7th June in Committee Room 2, LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
ENDS
Committee Membership:
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fine Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
David Cullinane, Sine Fein
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fine Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent