Vol. 505 No. 5
118 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs 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 on this subject as a basis for a Government decision on this proposal. [14149/99]
I met representatives from Treoir on 28 April to discuss the case for a longitudinal study of children in Ireland. Following this meeting, my Department met representatives from the Department of Health and Children and a joint paper on the matter, drawn up by both Departments, was submitted for the consideration of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion.
This paper recommended the preparation of a detailed proposal setting out the scope, methodology, management arrangements and costs involved in conducting a longitudinal study of children in Ireland. The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion has given its approval that this proposal be prepared. This will be jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Health and Children.
