Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 3

Written Answers - Child Care Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

197 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the budget allocation for child care services made to each of the ten health boards for 2001; the funding requirement identified by each board; and his views of the adequacy of provision. [14313/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin)

The additional Revenue funding allocated in this year's letters of net determination is as follows:

Board	Amount£m
Eastern Regional Health Authority	13.874
Midland Health Board	1.501
Mid-Western Health Board	3.534
North-Eastern Health Board	2.140
North-Western Health Board	1.361
South-Eastern Health Board	2.678
Southern Health Board	4.059
Western Health Board	2.547
Total	31.694

This is in addition to the £60 million in Revenue funding that has been invested in the services since the end of 1997. This brings the total estimated budget for child care to approximately £180 million on a national basis in 2001.

The letters of net determination indicated the areas that health boards should address in strengthening and further developing the child welfare and protection service. The health boards submitted service plans outlining these devel opments which were approved by the Minister for Health and Children. Progress in implementing these plans is currently being reviewed by my Department with a view to ensuring that these developments are being put in place. I am satisfied that this substantial level of additional funding will enable the health boards to further strengthen and develop their child welfare and protection services, in line with their statutory obligations.