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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 5

Written Answers. - Child Care Strategy.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

22 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in devising a strategy for children in view of his commitment to do so over a year ago; and when it will be announced. [22866/99]

In July the Government announced its decision to proceed with the preparation of the National Children's Strategy. An interdepartmental group, at assistant secretary level and under the chair of the Department of Health and Children, has been established to develop the strategy. It has held three meetings to date and I am advised that it is making good progress.

A cross-departmental team, representative of the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Science, Social, Community and Family Affairs, and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has been put in place under the Public Service Management Act 1997, to support the development of the strategy and to improve cross-departmental co-operation. A senior academic with a strong background in child care research has been appointed on a full-time basis to the team to assist in the development of the strategy. An intensive consultation process is due to commence shortly.
The Government is firmly committed to finalising the strategy and to its publication early next year and the arrangements now in place are designed to achieve this outcome.
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