Dáil child welfare committee proposed

DÁIL deputies and senators are proposing to form a new sub-committee to deal with child welfare issues.

Tue, 03 Aug, 2010 - 01:00

Noel Baker

Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, Sean O Fearghail, confirmed he had proposed forming such a sub-committee which could be established when the Health Committee sits this month.

Mr O Fearghail said the sub-committee could include Oireachtas members who are not members of the Health Committee, if they have an interest and expertise in child protection and child welfare.

Last week, the committee heard presentations from both Barnardos and the ISPCC, both of which criticised existing government policy and the HSE’s role in the provision of care.

James Reilly, Fine Gael deputy leader, said he found the presentations “depressing”, a view echoed by his party colleague, Senator Frances Fitzgerald, who said the HSE was now not fit to oversee the adequate delivery of child welfare and child protection services.

Speaking yesterday, Mr O Fearghail said the sub-committee could help monitor the level of service provided to vulnerable children.

A paper on children’s issues will be brought before the next meeting of the committee on August 10.

Mr O Fearghail said any new sub-committee could be “more effective” by incorporating input from other Oireachtas members.

The Fianna Fáil TD added that a sub-committee on suicide is already working and has been in touch with groups around the country.

Last Tuesday’s sitting also heard criticism of the Government for failing to set a date for a referendum on the proposed amendment to the Constitution which would safeguard children’s rights.

Yesterday Fine Gael children’s spokesman, Charlie Flanagan, said: “Fianna Fáil’s claim that it needs time to identify issues is ridiculous given that an Oireachtas committee has already examined the matter in great depth. The bottom line is if the Government wanted to put an amendment to the people with a view to giving vulnerable children the protection of the Constitution, it could do so.”