Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
• 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.
The Task Force has been asked to advise as to the appropriate service responsibilities of the
new Agency. The Government has already decided that child welfare and protection services
will transfer along with the Family Support Agency. The full remit of the Agency remains to
be seen and the recommendations of the Task Force are awaited in this regard. Whatever the
final make-up, there will of course be important linkages with the HSE regarding service provision
of health services for children and young people, as necessary. However, the Agency
will operate independently from the HSE, with its own management team and a reporting
relationship to my Department as part of new and more accountable governance arrangements.
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 legislative provision. I would envisage
tabling legislation before the House later this year to provide for the Agency’s setting up
in 2013.
Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 63.
Children in Care
69. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to
increase the level of input children in care have in the provision of care services. [8070/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): Central to the care
and protection of children in care is listening to their voice. This principle has underpinned
national policy and operational practices over the past number of years, in particular for children
in the care of the State. Children in residential care and foster care are allocated a social
worker whose role includes visiting the child in their placement and talking with them about
their day to day life, and longer term plans. The child’s wishes inform Care Plans, and children
often attend at Care Planning Meetings to express these directly or with the assistance of their
social worker.
It is important to note that the National Standards for Children in Residential Care and
National Standards for Children in Foster Care explicitly state that children are to be consulted
so as to gain their input into issues that influence their daily life. This includes choices regarding
meals, recreation and other activities. HIQA inspect against these standards and in their inspection
reports HIQA have found that, overall, children are consulted. The HSE and the Irish
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