Vol. 398 No. 4
139 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a special task force using the resources of his Department, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice, in order to deal with the problems in this country involving children at risk.
Responsibility for the care of children at risk and others who are not receiving adequate care and protection is a matter primarily for the health boards. As the Deputy will be aware, the Child Care Bill, 1988 which is being examined by a special committee of the House proposes, inter alia, to strengthen the powers of the health boards in this regard. I have no plans to establish a group along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
