Vol. 488 No. 1
188 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to provide special care units to health boards for children who are on care orders; and the location and numbers of these plans he expects to provide in each of the years 1998 to 2000. [5634/98]
Provision of accommodation of this nature is in the first instance a matter for the health boards who would make application to my Department for the necessary funding.
189 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if a dedicated child welfare manager post has been created in each community care area for each health board. [5658/98]
Regarding the creation of child care manager posts the health boards have advised me as follows:
(i) The Eastern Health Board has reached agreement on the core responsibilities for the post of child care managers in each of its ten community care areas. The board is currently in negotiation with staff and the relevant staff representative organisations in relation to the filling of these posts.
(ii) The Midland Health Board has created a child care manager post in each of the board's two community care areas and it is in the process of filling these posts.
(iii) The Mid-Western Health Board has created three child care manager posts, one in each of its three community care areas. Three candidates have qualified for these posts but agreement is still being awaited on salary levels.
(iv) The North-Eastern Health Board has created three child care manager posts, one in each community care area. Two of the posts have been filled. The third post has been offered to a candidate who will be taking up duty on her return from sick leave.
(v) The North-Western Health Board currently has two child protection services officers to ensure co-ordination in the child protection area. It is expected that child care managers will be appointed during 1998.
(vi) The South-Eastern Health Board has appointed four child care managers, one in each of its community care areas.
(vii) The Southern Health Board has appointed four child care managers, one in each of its community care areas.
(viii) The Western Health Board appointed three acting child care managers in September 1996. These posts will be filled on a permanent basis when an appropriate salary scale has been agreed.
