Bernard Allen
Question:53 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health when he will be making regulations under the Child Care Act so as to implement the provisions of the Act.
Written Answers. - Implementation of Child Care Act.
The provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991, are being implemented on a phased basis. A number of the provisions were commenced on 1 December last. These include section 74 which imposes new legal controls on the sale of solvents to children.
It is my intention to bring substantial elements of the Act into operation during the current year, including:—
Section 3 which imposes a statutory duty on health boards to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and empowers them to provide a comprehensive range of child care and family support services;
Section 5 which imposes a statutory duty on health boards to provide accommodation for homeless children;
Section 6 which requires health boards to provide or ensure the provision of an adoption service in their area;
Section 7 which requires each health board to establish a Child Care Advisory Committee to advise and assist it in the performance of its functions under the new legislation, and
Section 9 and 10 which enable health boards to make arrangements with voluntary bodies to provide services on their behalf and to grant aid them for that purpose.
None of these provisons involves the preparation of new regulations.
The remaining provisions including those which require regulations, will be implemented on a phased basis over future years in accordance with the commitment contained in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress.