Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, is set to become Chair of the Oireachtas Committee for Children and Youth Affairs, as signalled by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today.
Deputy Farrell said: “I am pleased to be afforded the opportunity to Chair the Oireachtas Children and Youth Affairs Committee by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD.
“As a parent of two young children, I am delighted to have the opportunity to chair meetings focused on developing policy to benefit children, and families across our country.
“In this role, I will actively engage with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone, the Department and with my Oireachtas colleagues to ensure every piece of legislation which comes before the Committee is fully scrutinised and debated.
“It is vital that all decisions made by the Committee are informed by a thorough assessment of the needs of children across the country and, as Chair, I will work to ensure this is the case.
“I look forward to this new challenge and I am wholly committed to ensuring the Committee’s work has a positive and beneficial impact for all children and for every family throughout our country, with a particular focus on childcare, child welfare and adoption rights.
“Issues including the cost of childcare, child welfare and protection, early years education, supports for working families, holding organisations such as Tusla accountable, and improving outcomes for children and young people are of the utmost importance to our local communities, and our society as a whole. As Chair of the Children and Youth Affairs Committee, I will work to ensure they receive the detailed attention they require.”
An Taoiseach also announced his intention to appoint Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Josepha Madigan, as Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight and Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O’Dowd, as Chair of the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport.