Trevor Sargent
Ceist:426 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he has taken to put an end to child abuse in view of the Cappoquin case which occurred within the last decade. [17258/99]
Written Answers. - Child Abuse.
Since taking office in 1997 this Government has allocated an additional £29.5 million in revenue funding for child care services. The £15 million allocated in 1999 is the largest amount allocated in a single year since the Child Care Act was passed in 1991.
This funding has been provided to develop the child care services and includes developments such as the establishment earlier this year of the social services inspectorate, whose initial function is the inspection of health board children's residential homes to ensure that the physical, emotional and psychological needs of children within these homes are being met.
The publication on 21 September 1999 of "Children First", the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children and their implementation will also provide mechanisms to ensure that children within residential centres are protected from abuse.
Furthermore, in accordance with a recent Government decision, my Department has commenced work on legislation that will enable the office of an ombudsman for children to be established next year.
These important developments will be underpinned by the proposed national children's strategy – preparation of which has commenced.