Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 6

Written Answers. - Childcare Provision Policy.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

72 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the policy on childcare provision which his Department is operating at present; the projects, if any, which have received funding; and the future plans, if any, he has for the development of childcare services in this country. [3416/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. Currie)

My Department's policy on the provision of childcare services is centred on the implementation of the Child Care Act, 1991. The Child Care Act represents a major reform of the law in relation to the care of children. It provides a modern legal framework for the protection of children from abuse and neglect, and the development of a wide range of child care and family support services to assist children and families in need.

The Act is being implemented on a phased basis. It has been necessary to adopt this policy of phased implementation because of the need to put in place a proper infrastructure to support the legislation and to provide the health boards with the extra resources required to enable them to cope with the new demands imposed on them under the legislation; 61 of the 79 sections of the Act are now in force. These include the core provisions of Parts III, IV, V and VI which deal with the protection of children in emergencies, care proceedings and the powers and duties of health boards in relation to children in their care. I was very pleased to be in a position to bring these core provisions into operation with effect from 31 October last, together with three new sets of regulations governing the placement by health boards of children in foster care, residential care and with relatives.

In accordance with the timescale set by the Government for the full implementation of the Act, it is my intention that the remaining 18 sections of the Act, which deal with the supervision of pre-school services and the registration of children's residential centres, will be commenced by the end of the current year.

I have already mentioned that for the legislation to be effective, it must be backed up by a sustained programme of investment in the development of new child care and family support services which are capable of responding to the needs of those whom the Act is designed to assist. The implementation of Parts III to VI in particular have enormous resource implications.

Since 1993, in the region of £35 million on an annualised basis has been invested in the development of new child care and family support services. There have been significant increases in staffing levels and a range of new services and facilities have been put in place throughout the country. Over 850 new permanent posts have been created for the child care services. The Health Estimate for 1996 includes provision for a further round of new service developments in the child care area. These allocations represent the largest ever investment of resources in our child care services and demonstrate the commitment of the Government to strengthening those services and equipping them to respond to the needs of vulnerable children.

The main features of the Child Care Action Plan for 1995 were:

The creation of some 342 additional posts for the child care services.

The expansion of assessment and therapeutic services for the victims of child abuse.

The provision of additional accommodation and supports to help homeless youngsters.

The establishment of new special care units catering for children who are out of control.

The development of locally-based helping services to assist families in difficulty.

Increased financial support for voluntary groups providing services for victims of family violence.

Last week I announced an increase in the basic rate of foster care allowance payable to foster parents in respect of children aged 12 years and over. The allowance will be increased from £44.50 to £60 per week with effect from 1 March 1996. Over 75 per cent of all children in the care of health boards are at present in foster care.

Details of the further developments to be funded in 1996 are being discussed with the health boards at present.

I am confident that these major new developments will enhance the capacity of the health boards to meet the challenges that lie ahead in a vitally important area of our social services, and to deliver the range of services and supports required for the effective operation of the Child Care Act.