Tony Gregory
Question:76 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991, which were due to be implemented by 1 October 1995; and the current time-scale for their implementation. [14600/95]
Written Answers. - Child Care Act
I am pleased to inform the House that I have signed an Order bringing the following 44 sections of the Child Care Act into operation with effect from 31 October 1995: sections 4, 6 (3) and (4), 12 to 48, 68 and 70, and 75 to 78.
Sections 12 to 48 constitute the whole of Parts III, IV, V and VI of the Act. These deal with the protection of children in emergencies, care proceedings and the powers and duties of health boards in relation to children in their care.
The commencement of these key provisions will greatly strengthen the powers of the health boards and the gardaí to intervene quickly to protect children who are being abused or neglected.
They will also provide the courts with a range of new options in proceedings involving children who are not receiving adequate care and protection, including the power to make supervision orders authorising health boards to monitor children in their own homes.
I might mention that I have also signed three sets of new regulations governing the placement by health boards of children in foster care, residential care and with relatives. These new regulations, which are required to give full effect to Part VI of the Act, will also come into force on 31 October next. They require health boards to visit, supervise and review children in their care on a more systematic basis than before.