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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Romanian Orphanages.

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

487 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the diplomatic representations he is engaged in, with a view to improving the harsh conditions endured by children in Romanian orphanages. [16273/02]

On 5 July 2002, I wrote to the Romanian Minister for Foreign Affairs on this issue. This was a follow up on our meeting en marge of the Afghanistan Conference in Tokyo last January when we discussed reforms within Romania in the context of progress towards EU accession. I am encouraged to note that positive steps have been taken in the area of child care reform, including the adoption of a National Strategy on Reform of the Child Care System, the establishment of a National Agency for the Protection of Children's Rights and the adoption of normative standards and levels of child care services. However, there remains much to be done and in my letter of 5 July 2002, I asked for the Minister's views in relation to how any external assistance could be fully integrated with Romania's National Strategy on reform of the child care system.

The Deputy will be aware that, as part of the pre-accession process, the European Commission conducts ongoing reviews of progress in relation to a number of economic, social and political criteria set by the European Council and publishes regular reports. I understand that the Commission is issuing an evaluation report today and I will note with interest the findings and recommendations relating to institutional child care.

Ireland Aid allocates resources through a number of trust funds which operate in the region. In 2001, €431,710 was allocated to the Irish General Consultancy Trust Fund – CTF – of the World Bank for activities in the countries of Eastern Europe and the CIS. Ireland contributed €253,948 to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – EBRD – Trust Fund which assists the economic transition process and development of the institutional infrastructure within Eastern Europe.

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