asked the Minister for Health the steps he takes to satisfy himself of the suitability of persons appointed to institutions which cater for children and care for mentally handicapped children; whether minimum education or training standards are laid down by his Department in any case; if he requires employers to pay adequate attention to the previous employment and medical records of applicants for jobs in the institutions they control in this area; and whether he has satisfied himself that adequate safeguards exist for the proper expenditure of the public funds allocated to this area.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Institution Personnel.
395.
Detailed guidelines on the procedures to be followed in the recruitment of child care workers in residential homes under the aegis of the Departments of Health and Education were agreed with the Resident Managers Association and circulated in December 1979. The guidelines cover the requirements referred to by the Deputy.
These homes are financed on a capitation basis and I am satisfied that the procedures for recoupment of expenditure to the homes are adequate to ensure proper accountability.
The procedures for the recruitment of persons to special centres caring for mentally handicapped children operated by voluntary agencies are generally in line with the normal practices in hospitals. These special centres are financed under a budget system, which incorporates the normal safeguards applying to budget arrangements in the health services.