Minister Fitzgerald welcomes the publication of the General Scheme of the Children and Family Relationships Bill

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs today welcomes the publication of the General Scheme of the Children and Family Relationships Bill. “This is positive and reforming legislation and extremely important for children and families in Ireland.”

The Minister said: “The launch of the Child and Family Agency today and this legislation is an important marker in the ongoing development and reform of our approach to children and families in this country.”

The Minister also welcomes the proposal to forward the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality and the proposal to include the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in the consultation process.

“These are complex social questions which have been the subject of discussions for some time. It is important that there is an opportunity to scrutinise and consult widely on such long-awaited proposals. I very much look forward to being involved in these discussions bilaterally as well as considering, with the Minister for Justice, the observations from the Committees.”