Vol. 505 No. 3
137 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the report by Treoir, the Federation of Services for Unmarried Persons and their Children, analysing the case for a longitudinal study of children in Ireland; and if funds will be committed immediately to a feasibility study in this subject as a basis for a Government decision on this long overdue proposal. [14148/99]
184 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether there is an information deficit in relation to children in Irish society; if he will commission a national longitudinal study of children; the plans, if any, he has to provide funding for such a study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13747/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 184 together.
My Department has met Treoir to discuss its proposal. Following this meeting, the views of other Departments were sought to establish the level of interest for such a study. There was a favourable response and accordingly a joint paper on a longitudinal study was submitted by my Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to the Cabinet sub-committee on social inclusion for consideration. That paper recommended that a detailed proposal outlining the scope, methodology, management arrangements and costs involved in such a study be prepared. The Cabinet sub-committee on social inclusion has given its approval for this to be done. This will be funded jointly by the Departments concerned.
