Publication of Children First Bill 2014

Welcoming the publication of the Children First Bill 2014, Norah Gibbons, Chair of the Child and Family Agency, said:

“The Child and Family Agency welcomes the long-awaited publication of the Children First Bill.  Together with the suite of other measure taken in recent years, including the establishment of a dedicated Child and Family Agency, the legislation will help to bring about a new approach to child protection in Ireland.

“The whole of society has a role in keeping children safe. The Children First legislation ensures that each one of us knows that we have a role in child protection and a duty to speak out if we think a child is at risk.

“Placing Children First on a statutory footing is vital for the work of the Child and family agency and key partners and in particular will support an inter agency focus on early intervention and prevention of harm.”

-ENDS-

Media queries: Sharon Waters 087 6348373 / Sharon.waters@tusla.ie

Notes:

• The full text of the Bill is available at http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2014/3014/b3014d.pdf
• You can download the explanatory memorandum at http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2014/3014/b3014d-memo.pdf