Vol. 463 No. 3
102 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that his Department adopts a pro-active approach in monitoring the development of child care by health boards in order to ensure consistency on a national scale in provision, procedures and practice. [6119/96]
Under the Child Care Act, 1991, it is a function of every health board to promote the welfare of children in its area who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Since 1993 financial resources totalling £35 million have been made available to the boards specifically for child care developments. Health boards have prepared annual service plans on foot of this funding based on the priority needs in their areas. These service plans are monitored by the officials in my Department.
Officials of my Department regularly meet the health board programme managers collectively to review progress in the implementation of the Child Care Act and of the health board child care service plans. In addition, the Minister for Health and I have decided to establish an inspectorate of social services attached to the Department of Health. The inspectorate will have responsibility, inter alia, for quality assurance and audit of child care practice.
