asked the Minister for Health arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 357 on 5 May 1981, whether his reference to arrangements for dealing with emergency attention for children by health boards indicates some degree of dissatisfaction or inadequacy with such arrangements; and, if so, if he will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that they are fully adequate.
Written Answers. - Treatment of Itinerant Children
274.
I would like to re-iterate that there is no distinction made in dealing with cases needing attention as between children of travelling families and other children.
As regards the adequacy of these services, I would expect that a totally adequate service would be feasible if unlimited financial and personnel resources were available. In fact, however, there is a dearth of suitably qualified social work personnel at present. This results in the need for careful deployment of the available staff in an effort to provide a service to cope as far as possible with the many and varied demands arising.
The position is being kept under constant review with a view to improving services still further in the event of additional personnel resources becoming available. In the meantime, however, I am satisfied that the best possible service is being made available by the health board at present.