asked the Taoiseach whether, in view of the present uncoordinated method of administering social services, the Government will give early attention to the question of establishing a special Department for the administration of all social services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Administration of Social Services.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question which he addressed to me on the 18th February, 1942. On that occasion I stated that the question of setting up a Department of State in which the administration of a number of social services would be concentrated had been considered more than once by the Government, that such a step would be attended by many difficulties, and that it was not clear that it would result in any economy or increased efficiency commensurate with the disturbance of existing arrangements that would be involved.
Since then the matter has been further investigated in some detail, and the general conclusion would seem to be that the present system of administration of the social services is efficient and economical. The services are already co-ordinated in the sense that each of them makes full use of any of the machinery of other services that is suitable for its purpose, and there is no evidence of overlapping or duplication. While, therefore, the Government have taken no decision adverse to the setting up of a Department of Social Services, we are of opinion that there is no urgent need for any closer investigation of the matter.