Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Care Legislation.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

288 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health the sections of the Child Care Act, 1989 which have yet to be brought into legal force; the amount of money allocated for 1992 to implement the sections of this Act already in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The following provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991 have been brought into operation to date:—

Section	Title
Section 1	Short title and commencement
Section 2	Interpretation
Section 5	Accommodation for homeless children
Section 6(Part of)	Provision of adoption service
Section 9	Provision of services by voluntary bodies and other persons
Section 10	Assistance for voluntary bodies and other persons
Section 11	Research
Section 66	Superannuation of certain staff
Section 69	Powers of the Minister
Section 71	Prosecution of offences
Section 72	Functions of chief executive officer
Section 73	Expenses
Section 74	Sale etc. of solvents
Section 79(Part of)	Repeals

I propose to commence some further provisions of the legislation before the end of the year, in particular section 7 which will require each health board to establish a child care advisory committee to advise it on the performance of its functions under the Act.

A sum of £1 million was set aside in the budget of 1991 to fund essential developments preparatory to the implementation of the legislation. The full year costs of the new developments approved during 1991 is £3 million and full provision for this has been included in the 1992 Health Vote. A special allocation of £2 million was set aside in this year's budget to fund further new developments in child care. This brings the Government's investment in the Act this year to almost £5 million. These moneys are enabling the health boards, in association with the voluntary sector, to develop a comprehensive range of child care and family support services in accordance with the requirements of the legislation and to recruit the additional child care specialists and other staff needed to operate the new services. The Government are committed to providing the additional resources needed to bring the Act fully into operation on a phased basis in accordance with the commitment contained in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress.