Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme
to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best practice in child
welfare, family support and public administration; consistent with the Government’s public
sector reform agenda.
In relation to the Agency it has been asked to:
• Propose a vision and the principles to guide operations;
• Advise on the appropriate service responsibilities, and the delivery of same;
• Review existing financial, staffing and corporate resources; and propose a methodology
for resource allocation;
• Propose an organisational design and operating child welfare and protection service
model;
• Prepare a detailed implementation plan;
• Identify the main priorities and core relationships required;
• Oversee the implementation and monitor progress, pending establishment of the
Agency.
The Task Force held its eleventh meeting earlier this month. Work is also being advanced
through two sub-groups. I look forward to receiving the report of their work, which will inform
preparations for the new Agency, including the drafting of legislation. A dedicated new budget
sub-head was established for the first time in the HSE Vote, in preparation for the planned
establishment of the Agency in 2013. A process is currently underway in conjunction with the
HSE to further review and refine the detailed components of this sub-head.
I am firmly committed to the transformation of Ireland’s child protection and welfare
services. Central to this is delivering transparent and accountable management and budgeting.
The establishment for the first time of a dedicated budget sub-head within the HSE Vote for
children and families is an important part of the ongoing “change agenda”, which is aimed at
strengthening organisation capacity, business processes and systems, and will pave the way for
the transition to the new Child and Family Support Agency in 2013. Management of these
services will be led by the National Director (Mr Gordon Jeyes) who already has a very close
working relationship with me and my Department. These developments are an integral part of
preparations for the new stand alone Agency.
I am anxious to advance the full establishment of the Agency at as early a date as possible,
subject to the work of the Task Force and necessary legislature provision. I would envisage
tabling legislation before the House later this year to provide for the Agency’s setting up
in 2013.
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 81.
Health Service Reports
103. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress
made to date on implementing the recommendations in the report on the Roscommon child
care case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7850/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I provided the Deputy
with detailed responses on this issue on the 3rd November, 2011 and the 15th December, 2011.
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