P. J. Sheehan
Question:60 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health whether he has estimated the projected capital and full year revenue cost of implementing each phase of the Child Care Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vol. 415 No. 8
60 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health whether he has estimated the projected capital and full year revenue cost of implementing each phase of the Child Care Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is difficult to estimate the cost of implementing the Child Care Act as the new legislation involves a fundamental change in orientation to a more pro-active and preventative approach. The ultimate cost is largely dependent on the level of need that is identified and on decisions by health boards and courts on the extent of intervention needed in individual cases.
Given the scale and complexity of the new legislative provisions, it has always been recognised by all sides of the House and by the various interest groups that the Act would have to be implemented on a phased basis over a number of years. The Government are committed to providing the necessary resources to facilitate such a phased and orderly implementation of the legislation.
Last year a sum of £1 million was set aside in the budget to fund essential developments preparatory to the implementation of the legislation. These moneys were used to initiate a number of developments including: recruiting 30 additional social workers; providing additional places for the young homeless in Dublin, Galway, Athlone and Sligo; developing new children's residential centres at Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Stranolar; and developing new child psychiatric services in the North-Eastern, South-Eastern and Mid-Western Health Boards.
The full year cost of the developments approved during 1991 is estimated at almost £3 million and full provision for this is included in the 1992 Health Estimates and in the allocations notified to health boards.