Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:51 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will report on the national longitudinal study of children especially in relation to children living in areas of high disadvantage. [10489/01]
Written Answers. - Study of Children.
A national longitudinal study is a comprehensive study, focusing on a significant number of children, which examines their progress and well-being at critical periods from birth to adulthood. By studying a representative sample of children over a period of time, it is possible to identify the key factors which protect children in times of adversity and most help and encourage their development.
The case for a longitudinal study was made by the Commission on the Family in its report to the Government, Strengthening Families for Life, published in July 1998. Such a study of children was also identified under the national children's strategy, Our Children – Their Lives, as a key measure to achieve the national goal that "children's lives will be better understood". As was highlighted in the national children's strategy, such a study would identify the persistent adverse effects which lead to social disadvantage and exclusion, educational difficulties, ill-health and deprivation.
Following a proposal from the Minister for Health and Children and myself, the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion approved the undertaking of a feasibility study by my Department jointly with the Department of Health and Children to explore what would be involved in undertaking such a study of children in Ireland. The contract to carry out the feasibility project and develop a design for a national longitudinal study has been awarded to the Consortium of Researchers in Ireland. The consortium represents a number of leading academic and research institutions nationwide, including TCD, UCD, the ESRI and the Institute of Public Health in Dublin, UCC in Cork, NUI in Galway and a range of disciplines in such fields as health, education, social research, developmental psychology and social change.
The Health Research Board, which is assisting both Departments in the managing of the project, has advised that the contract is due to be signed shortly. The work of the consortium is expected to be completed in three months and I expect to be in a position to bring its recommendations as to how a full study might be carried out to the Cabinet sub-committee for consideration in early autumn. The Government allocated £500,000 in budget 2001 for this project.