Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Care Advisory Committees.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

78 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for health whether child care advisory committees have been established in each of the health board areas in compliance with section 7 of the Child Care Act, 1991; if so, if they have undertaken a statutory review of services to evaluate the adequacy of child care and family support services in compliance with section 8 of the Child Care Act, 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

284 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he intends to take to monitor the establishment and work of the child care advisory committees as enacted in section 7 of the Child Care Act, 1991.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 284 together.

Section 7 of the Child Care Act, 1991, which was brought into operation on 1 December 1992, requires each health board to establish a child care advisory committee for its area. Ministerial directions have been given to the boards in relation to these committees, in accordance with section 7 (5).

Seven of the health boards have appointed a child care advisory committee for their respective areas. The Southern Health Board is in the process of finalising the membership of the committee for its area.

While my function under the legislation is confined to giving general directions in relation to the committees, I shall of course take a keen personal interest in the progress of the committees which have a valuable role to play in the planning and development of child care services in their respective areas.

Section 8 of the Act, which was also brought into operation on 1 December last, requires each health board to undertake an annual review of the adequacy of the child care and family support services available in its areas and to have a report prepared in the matter. The first such reports must be prepared by 1 December 1993.