Vol. 549 No. 1
79 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the activities of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; if he will give details of staffing, funding and resources, and the work programme; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the agency's work to date. [5696/02]
110 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress regarding the establishment of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; the number of staff recruited; when it is expected that the agency will begin to offer a service to the public; the nature and terms of that service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5765/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 110 together.
I established the Crisis Pregnancy Agency on 2 October 2001 under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1961. I subsequently appointed the board of the agency, with Ms Olive Braiden as chairperson. Two staff have been seconded from my Department to enable the agency to become operational as soon as possible. Premises in Capel Street, Dublin 1 have been acquired by the agency and have been fitted out and equipped. The agency moved into these offices on 9 January.
The agency has informed me that its first priority is the recruitment of key staff. The position of director was recently advertised and the closing date for applications was Friday, 15 February. Three managers will be recruited to enable the agency to fulfil the functions required of it under its establishment order. The process for the recruitment of these staff will be beginning shortly. When these staff are in place the agency intends to conduct a wide-ranging process of consultation leading to the drafting of a national strategy to address crisis pregnancy.
