Séamus Cullimore
Ceist:250 Mr. Cullimore asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the implementation of the new Child Care Act, to protect disadvantaged children, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Child Care Act.
A number of the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991 were commenced on 1 December last. These include section 74 which imposes new legal controls on the sale of solvents to children.
It is my intention to bring substantial elements of the Act into operation during the current year, including: section 3 which imposes a statutory duty on health boards to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and empowers them to provide a comprehensive range of child care and family support services; section 5 which imposes a statutory duty on health boards to provide accommodation for homeless children; section 6 which requires health boards to provide or ensure the provision of an adoption service in their area; section 7 which requires each health board to establish a child care advisory committee to advise and assist them in the performance of their functions under the new legislation, and sections 9 and 10 which enable health boards to make arrangements with voluntary bodies to provide sevices on their behalf and to grant aid them for that purpose.
The remaining provisions of the Act will be implemented on a phased basis over the future years in accordance with the commitment contained in the Progamme for Economic and Social Progress.