Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 3rd May, 2016.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 1 of the Children First Act 2015 (No. 36 of 2015), hereby orders as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Children First Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2016.

2. The 1st day of May 2016 is appointed as the day on which—

(a) section 18, and

(b) sections 20 to 26,

of the Children First Act 2015 (No. 36 of 2015) shall come into operation.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

28 April 2016.

JAMES REILLY,

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order provides for the commencement of section 18 and sections 20 to 26 of the Children First Act 2015 (No. 36 of 2015) with effect from 1st May 2016.

Section 18 provides that the Child and Family Agency is a specified body for the purposes of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (Schedule 2 of 2012 Act: Organisations required to notify specific information to Bureau).

Sections 20 to 26 of the Act provide for the establishment of a Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group. Section 20 provides for the establishment of a Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group. Section 21 provides for membership of the Implementation Group. Section 22 provides for the functions of the Implementation Group. Section 23 provides that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs may give directions to the Implementation Group. Section 24 provides for conditions and cessation of membership of the Implementation Group. Section 25 provides for the Implementation Group meetings and procedures. Section 26 provides that the Implementation Group shall provide annual reports to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.