asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken since taking office to advance the implementation of the Task Force report on Child Care Services.
Written Answers. - Child Care Services Report.
163.
The principal recommendation of the Task Force on Child Care Services was that new legislation should be introduced to update and extend the law in relation to children.
The Deputy will be aware that the Children (Care and Protection) Bill, 1985, which was one of a number of measures intended to give effect to that recommendation, was being examined by a special committee of this House when the general election intervened. While the committee had met on only two occasions, it had become clear that the Bill required substantial changes, involving as many as 150 amendments. These were necessary in order to meet points raised by various groups and individuals involved in child care and, more particularly, to take account of a Supreme Court judgment in 1985 which cast doubt over the constitutionality of some of the proposals contained in the Bill. Rather than re-introducing the Bill as it stands I have decided to introduce a new child care Bill and I expect to be in a position to publish it in the near future.
The supplementary report of the task force recommended that the law should be changed to permit the adoption of children whose parents are married to each other. The Deputy will be aware that the Adoption (No. 2) Bill, 1987, which I introduced since taking office, is at present before the Seanad and I expect that Report Stage will be taken shortly.
I might also mention that there have been significant developments in child care services, including a major expansion in foster care services and improved day care services, since the report of the task force in 1980. I am committed to maintaining and, where possible, building on the advances which have been made in this area. Last year, for example, I allocated special funds for the establishment of two units in Dublin for the investigation and assessment of alleged cases of child sexual abuse. I will be making an announcement in the near future about the allocation of special additional funds to enable similar services to be expanded outside Dublin. In regard to services generally for disadvantaged young people the Government last week announced an allocation of approximately £4 million out of national lottery funds in respect of a wide range of improved specialised services. This allocation includes, inter alia, a sum in excess of £1 million in respect of improved services for the young homeless as well as special allocations for services for young substance abusers and young travellers.