Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Care Projects.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

265 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the basis on which the locations were selected in relation to the 12 child care pilot projects announced by Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, on 22 June 1998; his views on whether all 12 areas are priority areas in terms of need; the reason there are only two projects in the Eastern Health Board area in view of the fact that this board serves a third of the population and has the highest concentration of social problems; the reason there was no location selected on the north side of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15673/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

As was announced by the Taoiseach on 22 June last, the Government has decided to set up 12 pilot projects for children at risk and has allocated £2.4 million per annum for this purpose over the three year period 1998-2000. The location of the projects will be approved by the Cabinet sub-committee on social inclusion who will take into account the recommendations of an assessment committee on the merits of particular proposals. The intention is to base the projects in areas of social deprivation where there is a need to ensure better co-ordination of services for children at risk. These projects will be in addition to a number of projects already under way in the Dublin area which were initiated under the national drugs strategy.