asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to make definite arrangements with the welfare agencies, health boards and corporations, to ensure that the new directive to the Garda in relation to dependent children will be effective, if there will be regular reports or a monitoring structure to ensure the implementation of that directive and if not, how it will be assessed.
Written Answers. - Dependent Children.
175.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the instruction to the Garda in the Dublin area to notify the appropriate authorities when a travelling person who has or is believed to have dependent children is detained.
The Minister for Justice has agreed to renew this instruction and extend it to the Garda Síochána throughout the country. The Garda will be asked to notify the appropriate director of community care when an adult traveller who is believed to have dependent children is detained.
The effectiveness of this procedure will be kept under review by the Department of Justice in consultation with my Department.