asked the Minister for Health if he will institute a set of monitoring standards in all hospitals to ensure that the children of any parent or guardian hospitalised are automatically investigated, on behalf of the health boards, the hospitals or other agencies involved, to ensure that no hardship will befall them during the hospitalisation of their parents or guardians; and if he will indicate the progress he has made to date with regard to the investigation of this matter.
Written Answers. - Children of Hospitalised Parents.
359.
I assume that the Deputy is concerned about children who are particularly at risk.
In a recent reply (Dáil Official Report, Volume 319, column 326) I indicated that health boards and voluntary hospitals have been requested to initiate procedures, where they have not already done so, relating to the problem of travelling children left alone while their parents and guardians are hospitalised. I am satisfied that hospital authorities are now very conscious of this problem and are taking appropriate measures to assist families who obviously need this type of special support.