Vol. 515 No. 4
145 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the further progressing, if any, of the proposed longitudinal study of children in possible collaboration with the Department of Health and Children to monitor these children at critical periods between childhood and adulthood for the purposes of developing future Government policy and services. [6360/00]
Following a proposal to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs from myself and the Minister for Health and Children, a feasibility study into what would be involved in undertaking a national child development study of children in Ireland is to be undertaken by my Department jointly with the Department of Health and Children.
A national child development study has never been carried out in this country. Such a study would be a major undertaking involving considerable cost. The Commission on the Family estimated that the resources necessary would be in the region of £0.8 – £1 million per survey round of the study, 1998 costs.
The feasibility study will explore the issues involved in such a major undertaking. It will set out the scope, methodology and management arrangements which would be appropriate for a full national child development, longitudinal, study of children in Ireland, the estimated costs which would be involved and the options as regards funding. An authoritative report on these issues will be critical to the deliberations of officials and the Government in relation to the feasibility of undertaking the full study.
The preparatory work for the commissioning of the feasibility study is almost finalised and I expect to make an announcement about the commencement of the project in the next few weeks.
