Trevor Sargent
Ceist:172 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made on the report being carried out on behalf of his Department and the National Children’s Office. [23417/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 October 2004
Ceisteanna (69)
Freagraí scríofa
I believe the report the Deputy is referring to is the national longitudinal study of children, which will be jointly funded by the National Children's Office and by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The study is the most significant of its kind to be undertaken in the Republic of Ireland, particularly in terms of the cost, scope and length of study period.
The aim of the study is to study the factors which contribute to, or undermine the well being of children in contemporary Irish families, and, through this, contribute to the setting of effective and responsive policies relating to children and to the design of services and their families. It is anticipated that 10,000 children from birth and 8,000 children aged nine will be recruited to participate in the study.
A steering group has been established, chaired by the director of the National Children's Office, and including senior officials from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, policy makers, people with expertise in research and statistics as well as child health, to make the necessary preparations for the commissioning of the study.
The study was put out to tender at the end of April 2004. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 27 August 2004. Tenders are currently being evaluated and it is hoped to award the contract by the end of 2004.