asked the Minister for Health how many local authorities have appointed children's officers to deal with children for whose care they are responsible, and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authorities and Children's Officers.
Twelve specially appointed women officers are employed by 11 local authorities on the supervision of the welfare of children for whose care those authorities are statutorily responsible.
I would refer the Deputy to a question and my reply on 10th November, 1954, when I stated that I consider the employment by health authorities of suitably qualified women on that type of work to be an essential step towards the provision of adequate supervision of the welfare of the children concerned. I am still of that opinion and I have continued to urge on health authorities the appointment of such officers wherever warranted by the number of children and other circumstances.