Vol. 500 No. 6
118 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the purpose and cost of any research on public opinion undertaken in his Department in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4682/99]
The following research on public opinion was undertaken by my Department in 1998. The expert working group on childcare commissioned a study entitled "Consultation with Children and Parents". The expert working group felt that it was important to consider the needs of children and parents as part of the development of a national childcare strategy and this consultation focused on children in two rural and two urban childcare settings. The results of the consultation were circulated to all members of the expert working group to assist them in their deliberations. The cost of this consultation was £2,206.
A study on public attitudes regarding the treatment of offenders in the community as part of an ongoing research programme into various aspects of the criminal justice system was also carried out. The study, which will form part of the Irish Social Omnibus Survey, was carried out on 1,000 members of the public at a cost of £6,000.
