asked the Minister for Education the number of children in care who fall within the jurisdiction of his Department.
43.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children In Care.
42.
asked the Minister for Education the number of people involved in child care employed in industrial schools, reformatories, or other institutions under the jurisdiction of his Department who have actually received specific training for childcare work.
44.
asked the Minister for Education the number of inspectors employed by his Department to oversee the work and administration of all the institutions involved in childcare which fall under the jurisdiction of his Department.
45.
asked the Minister for Education the set of uniform standards for the administration of child-care facilities that have been established by his Department; and if they have been published.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 to 45, inclusive, together.
There are 605 children in care in residential homes and special schools coming under the jurisdiction of my Department.
Of staff employed in caring for these children there are 125 who have completed a full-time course in child care or its equivalent or are at present pursuing such a course and 41 who have professional qualifications in nursing, social work or teaching. There is one child care adviser employed by my Department.
There is a divisional inspector with a district inspector, both with qualification in special education who have been assigned responsibility for the educational programme.
In the case of the residential homes, the great majority of the children now attend schools outside the premises and in this area the local school inspectors have responsibility.
In regard to standards the position is that a set of rules and regulations approved under the Children Act, 1908, were published in Appendix L of the Kennedy Report.
Can the Minister tell the House if he is satisfied with the division of responsibilities as between his Department and the Department of Health in regard to children in care and whether any changes in the present institutional arrangements and responsibilities are contemplated?
I think the Minister would admit that there is a certain grey area between his Department, the Department of Health and indeed the Department of Justice. I have already been looking at the problem with a view to what I might regard as its rationalisation.
Has the Minister any plans for up-dating the 1908 Childrens Act?
The Minister has not plans at present. The Minister would think it would be desirable and he intends moving in that direction.
Could the Minister indicate whether, as a result of such rationalisation procedures he is describing, further numbers of children could be brought under the wing of the Department of Education than are under it at present? Would the Minister say whether he accepts that the Department of Education or the Department of Health is the more appropriate overseeing authority for many of the children?
In respect of the education of these children I have no doubt but that the Department of Education is and should be the responsible authority.
When does the Minister expect the Task Force on Child Care to give him a report on the 1908 Act? I understand they are considering the matter.
If the Deputy would consider putting down a separate question I will give him precise information.
In the context of the 125 people engaged in full-time education of these children could the Minister make a distinction between those people who have, as the Minister put it, a recognised qualification and those who have what the Minister alleges is the equivalent?
I am referring to people who have been engaged in——
Can the Minister give me the breakdown within that number of which is which?
I do not think the notes I have suggest that. If I might say to the Deputy, and indeed to other Deputies, I should like them to come and visit, heralded or unheralded, the institution of St. Michael's or St. Laurence's in Finglas and satisfy themselves as to what is being provided there for the children. It would help to allay fears people may have in respect of lack of attention or otherwise given these children.
Would the Minister accept that there is a degree of grey area—to use his own words—about what is an equivalent qualification but there is no grey area about recognised qualification. Therefore, the breakdown for which I asked would be helpful.
I agree, but I do not know whether we should remove from the scene people—notwithstanding the fact that they have not what is regarded as a precise academic qualification—who would have other attributes which would render them perhaps more acceptable and, in their contribution, equal to an academic in this area.