Katherine Zappone calls on Taoiseach to maintain Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Ms Zappone, who is a caretaker Minister as she lost her seat in the general election said if the Department were dissolved it would “dilute the focus on the rights of children.”

The caretaker minister said she was aware of reports that the Department may be dissolved but says “It is the sixth-largest spending department. A lot goes on there."

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone has called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to maintain the Department.

Ms Zappone, who is a caretaker Minister as she lost her seat in the general election, told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that if the Department were dissolved it would “dilute the focus on the rights of children.”