20.— Section 227 (as amended by item 17 of Part 11 of Schedule 7 to the Health Act 2004 and section 156 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006) of the Act of 2001 is repealed and the following section substituted:

“Functions of Board.

227.— (1) The Board shall—

(a) on request advise the Ministers on policy issues relating to the coordinated delivery of services under this Act and the Act of 1991 (including residential accommodation and support services to children detained in children detention schools and special care units),

(b) publish guidance on the qualifications, criteria for appointment, training and role of any guardian ad litem appointed for children in proceedings under the Act of 1991,

(c) in consultation with the Health Service Executive, prepare and publish criteria for the admission to and discharge from special care units of children subject to special care and interim special care orders,

(d) subject to subsection (6) of section 29 (as amended by section 3 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007) of the Act of 1991, authorise in writing a class or classes of persons representing the Board to prepare reports referred to in, and for the purposes of, subsection (5) of that section 29,

(e) give its views on any proposal of the Health Service Executive, pursuant to section 23A(2)(b) (inserted by section 16 of this Act), to apply for a special care order under Part IVA of the Act of 1991,

(f) using published sources, report on the level and nature of residential accommodation and support services to children detained in children detention schools and special care units,

(g) promote enhanced inter-agency co-operation (including the sharing of information) under this Act and the Act of 1991,

(h) promote, organise or take part in meetings, seminars, conferences, lectures or demonstrations (whether in the State or elsewhere) in relation to its functions set out in paragraphs (a) to (g), and

(i) conduct or commission research, and collect, maintain, research and evaluate statistics and other data, relating to its functions set out in paragraphs (a) to (h).

(2) The Board, in performing its functions, shall have regard to the policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government in so far as they may affect or relate to those functions.

(3) The Board shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the exercise of its functions.”.