Vol. 404 No. 6
181 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in relation to the statutory duty on health boards to promote the welfare of children up to the age of 18 years under the Child Care Bill, 1988, the additional staff resources which he intends to make available in each of the next seven years.
A sum of £1 million was provided in the 1991 budget to begin the implementation of the Child Care Bill. Additional funding will be provided in subsequent budgets towards the full implementation of the Bill. As the Deputy is aware the Bill is currently before the Seanad and will be enacted later this year.
The Programme for Economic and Social Progress contains a commitment to implement the Child Care Bill 1988, when enacted, on a phased basis and to gradually increase the number of social workers and other staff.
