Commencement of the Provisions of the Children First Legislation

The provisions of the legislation came into force on a phased basis by regulation of the Minister as follows:

The following sections were commenced on 11 December 2015:

Part 1 - Preliminary and General - Sections 1-5

Section 1 - Short title and commencement

Section 2 - Definitions

Section 3 - Regulations

Section 4 - Service of Notices

Section 5 - Expenses

Part 5 - Miscellaneous

Section 28 - Abolition of defence of reasonable chastisement

The following sections were commenced on 1 May 2016:

Part 3 - Reporting - Section 18

Section 18 - The Child and Family Agency is a specified body for purposes of National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable persons) Acts 2012-2016.

Part 4 - Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group Sections 20-26

Section 20 - Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group

Section 21 - Membership of Implementation Group

Section 22 - Functions of Implementation Group

Section 23 - Directions of Minister

Section 24 - Conditions and cessation of membership

Section 25 - Meetings and procedures

Section 26 - Reports

The following sections were commenced on 11 December 2017:

Part 1 Preliminary and General - Sections 6 -7

Section 6 – Guidelines

Section 7 – Best interests of child

Part 2 Child Safeguarding Statements Sections 8-13

Section 8 – Definitions for purposes of Part 2

Section 9 – Application of Part

Section 10 – Child Safeguarding

Section 11 – Risk assessment and child safeguarding statements, etc.

Section 12 – Non-compliance with request to furnish child safeguarding statement

Section 13 – Register of non-compliance

Part 3 – Reporting – Sections 14-17 and Section 19

Section 14 – Mandated persons

Section 15 – Authorised persons

Section 16 – Agency may request mandated persons to assist with assessments

Section 17 – Information obtained by Agency of others persons pursuant to Act

Section 19 – Views of child – amendment of Child and Family Agency Act 2013

Part 4 – Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group and Sectoral Implementation Plans

Section 27 - Sectoral Implementation Plans