Children's information Bill
Deputy Rabbitte asked for legislation on collecting information about children in care, especially siblings separated in foster care. The Tánaiste said the issue seemed to fall mainly under the Children and Youth Affairs Minister, who would liaise with Health and reply.
My question relates to promised legislation under the remit of the Minister for Health. At the time of the introduction of the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill 2015, the HSE had responsibility for governance of, and provision for, children in care. Earlier, on "Today with Sean O'Rourke", the reporter, Mr. Brian O'Connell, comprehensively covered an issue relating to data collection for siblings in care. No data are being gathered in respect of them. Will the Government introduce a children's information Bill? If siblings are taken into foster care and then separated, no data are being gathered.
Comment on this
This is a relevant issue but it probably comes under the remit of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs rather than the Minister for Health. I am informed by the Minister for Health that he will liaise with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and revert to the Deputy on this.