Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014
354. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures he has taken to ensure that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Education and Skills ensure that every organisation under their auspices and every organisation they grant-aid in any way is fully compliant with the code of ethics, the duty to care and the children's first guidelines. [40463/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children was published in 2011. Each Government Department has responsibility for child protection within its own sector, including compliance with the relevant guidance.
On a more general note, my Department is taking a lead role in the cross-sectoral implementation of Children First. A Children First Inter-Departmental Group has been established involving key Government Departments, An Garda Síochána and the Child and Family Agency. Both the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Education and Skills are represented on this Group. The purpose of the Group is to promote the importance of the Children First Guidance and to address any emerging issues of a policy or inter-sectoral nature.
Finally, I would like to reiterate a general reminder that if any person has a concern about the welfare of a child or about the risk any adult may pose to a child, or children, this should be reported immediately to the Child and Family Agency
