asked the Minister for Health what steps he is taking to establish a system of home helps in accordance with the recommendations of the Committtee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Helps.
21.
The Committee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools Systems reported to the Minister for Education, who is arranging for the examination of the committee's recommendations by Government Departments and other appropriate bodies.
Should it be agreed that it is desirable to implement the recommendations regarding home helps made by the committee, the provision in the Health Act, 1970, for a home help service would enable this decision to be implemented.
Can the Minister say when we can expect to get an expression of opinion on this subject? When is this review likely to be completed? We are concerned to get the Government's view on what they are going to do about this as soon as possible. Can we hope to have it by the time the Dáil resumes?
I think the recommendations are being examined as rapidly as possible. It would be wrong for me to say when the views will be examined by all the Departments concerned and a decision taken.
The Minister will appreciate that we are concerned that so often when a report like this is prepared the time taken to examine the recommendations is out of all proportion to what might be considered reasonable outside the public services. Would he perhaps try to co-ordinate the activities of the different Departments to ensure an early decision on action on this report?
It is a matter primarily for the Minister for Education. I am sure he is doing his best along with his other activities.
That does not sound very hopeful.
I am sure the Minister is aware that in the recommendations there is a suggestion that urgent action should be taken as an interim measure.
No sense of urgency there.