Vol. 404 No. 8
33 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the financial provisions which he has made, in the current year, for the implementation of the expanded child care services, as provided for in the Child Care Bill, 1988.
In the Budget Statement, it was announced that £8 million is being provided in 1991 for the development of community-based and associated services, as envisaged in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. I have decided to allocate £1 million of this sum to begin the implementation of the Child Care Bill during the current year. As the Deputy is aware the Bill will be enacted later this year, it has completed its passage through this House and will shortly be before the Seanad. Additional funding will be made available over the lifetime of the programme so that the provisions of the Bill can be fully implemented as soon as possible.
