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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 4

Written Answers. - Childcare Facilities.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

353 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to provide for the regulation, supervision and inspection of childcare facilities in accordance with the Child Care Act, 1991.

Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 provides a scheme for the inspection and supervision by health boards of pre-school services for children under six years of age and for the making of regulations in this regard.

As the House will be aware the Government has decided that the Act is to be brought into operation in its entirety by the end of 1996. In the implementation of the Act, priority is being given to the commencement of Parts III, IV, V and VI which deal with taking children into care, court proceedings and the powers and duties of health boards in relation to children in their care. These provisions will greatly strengthen the ability of health boards and the gardaí to intervene in cases of child abuse and to protect children otherwise at risk.

When these provisions have been successfully implemented, I will then proceed with the commencement of Part VII and the remaining provisions of the Act.

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