Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2013
43. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the new national co-ordinator for the children's services committees has taken up office as anticipated before the end of last month; if she will provide an up-to-date report on the development of the 16 CSCs already established; her plans to continue to establish CSCs where they are not currently in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32584/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is leading an initiative to develop and implement a planning model for local interagency working to improve outcomes for children. The purpose of this initiative is to work towards better developmental outcomes for children through more effective integration of policies and services, in particular through the Children’s Services Committees at local level.
Children’s Services Committees (CSCs) bring together a diverse group of agencies in local county areas to engage in joint planning of services for children. These include representatives from the HSE, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, VECs, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, Irish Primary Principals Network, NEWB, and other organisations who provide services to children and young people. There are 16 CSCs at various stages of development, as follows: Dublin City, South Dublin, Limerick City, Donegal, Kerry, Fingal, Kildare, Longford/Westmeath, Carlow, Louth, Wicklow, Waterford, South Tipperary, Meath, Sligo/Leitrim, Cavan/Monaghan.
Following the publication of the Children & Young People’s Policy Framework later this year it is hoped to extend the initiative further with the aim of developing a CSC in every part of the State.
I am very pleased to say that the Centre for Effective Services (CES) has recruited a National Coordinator for Children’s Services Committees, to work with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the new Child and Family Agency and other statutory agencies, who will provide leadership to the Children’s Services Committees (CSCs) Initiative for the next 3 years. She took up duty on Monday 17th June last.
