John Bruton
Question:51 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of times the Cabinet sub-committee on children is expected to meet before the end of 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26310/00]
Written Answers. - Cabinet Sub-Committee on Children.
The Deputy will be aware that the Cabinet committee on children forms part of the new co-ordinating structures announced to oversee the implementation of this Government's national children's strategy, Our Children – Their Lives, which the Taoiseach launched on 13 November 2000. Work in relation to putting the new structures in place is already under way. The National Children's Office has been established on an administrative basis to support Deputy Mary Hanafin, Minister of State, in her new responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the strategy. The Minister of State will report to the Cabinet committee in relation to implementation.
It is the Government's intention to hold the first meeting of the Cabinet committee early in the new year, when the first annual programme of work to advance the national goals and objectives contained in the strategy is to be prepared by the National Children's Office, under its direction.
Question No. 52 taken with Question No. 27.