Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1998

Vol. 495 No. 7

Written Answers. - Children Bill.

Austin Currie

Ceist:

594 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of interested groups which have made submissions on the Children Bill since Second Stage was completed in February 1997; and the names of the groups with which he has had consultations on the Bill. [21348/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Submissions have been made since February 1997 on the Children Bill, 1996 by the following groups: Irish Commission for Justice and Peace; Barnardos; Inner City Organisations Network; Oberstown Boys Centre; Oberstown Girls Centre; A group of professionals working in Finglas Children Centre; The Board of Management of the Oberstown Campus; The teachers at Oberstown Education Centre, St. Laurence's school in the Finglas Children Centre and Trinity House school.

In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the Minister of State with responsibility for the juvenile justice legislation, Deputy Frank Fahey recently established a juvenile justice review group. While the deliberations of this group are not directly related to the legislation, many of the submissions received raise issues that are relevant in that respect.

The Minister of State and officials have had and continue to have extensive consultations on the Bill. Most of the groups mentioned above, as well as a joint IMPACT/SIPTU deputation, have made oral submissions on the juvenile justice legislation and continuing consultations are taking place with the Garda Síochána, Probation and Welfare Service, health boards and between officials of the Department with an interest in the legislation.