asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has to co-ordinate the various Government Departments which will be involved in implementing effectively the recommendations of the task force on child care services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Child Care Services.
22.
I have taken steps to establish a steering committee comprising officers of the three Departments concerned. The Departments of Education and Justice have already been asked to participate in the committee and to nominate their representatives to it.
The committee's primary function will be to formulate and gain agreement to an integrated programme for the implementation of the recommendations of the task force.
I am glad to hear there is some move in this direction but is it the intention of the Government to introduce a number of pilot schemes in the near future?
Is the Deputy inquiring about the functions of the committee?
I am inquiring about the Government's approach to the whole matter of setting up a co-ordinating body. Is it the intention of the Government or of the Minister for Health, who must take the responsibility now, to introduce a number of pilot schemes in the meantime throughout the country?
It appears to me this is a quite separate question from that tabled. The data I have relates solely to the proposals to co-ordinate the various Government Departments—that is to say, the functions of the steering committee the Minister has set up. I have no data to enable me to answer wider questions than that.
Is the Minister aware that a number of voluntary organisations throughout the country are prepared to introduce a pilot scheme based on the recommendations made by the task force?
If the Deputy wishes to ask questions about the pilot scheme it might be advisable for him to table a separate question.