Vol. 487 No. 3
199 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a recent review of children and family support services in the Eastern Health Board area which stated that the service is in crisis; the proposals, if any, he has to address the urgent and serious issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4191/98]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the report of the Eastern Health Board-IMPACT review group on child care and family support services which was completed last year.
The report examined the child care needs of the population of the Eastern Health Board and the resources required by the board to meet the new responsibilities placed on it by the full implementation of the Child Care Act, 1991. The report recommends the development of more effective practices and procedures, the refocusing of existing resources to target them more effectively and also that further resources should be made available.
Since the report was issued a number of key developments have taken place in the Eastern Health Board region including the appointment of a training officer by the Eastern Health Board, who is currently completing a training audit of all personnel working in this area which will form the basis of a training strategy. Training is seen as a crucial factor in relation to the induction and retention of staff.
The allocation of an additional £6.129 million in 1998 for the continued development of new services commenced in 1997 and for the ongoing implementation of the Child Care Act, 1991, and other relevant legislation and for the further development of child care and family support services. The report will assist the board in targeting these resources at areas which are experiencing the greatest inequity in health and social status.
