AQW 11801/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 13/05/2024
Answered On Date: 19/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the rationale for moving the responsibility of the Children's Services Co-Operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 to the Department for Education.

Answer:

The Execuitve Committee agreed in 2016 to a re-organisation of departments and the transfer of certain functions between them. The functions of The Executive Office relating to policy for Children and Young People and the Childcare Strategy, and the sponsorship of the Children’s Commissioner, were transferred to the Department of Education. The functions exercisable under the Children’s Services Co-Operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 were consequently transferred to the Department of Education as being aligned with these policy responsibilities.