asked the Minister for Health if any set period of time is allowed to elapse before the absence of a child placed in residential care is notified to the Garda, the health board and the parents.

There is no set period prescribed. It is a matter for the authorities of the home concerned to decide in the circumstances of each case.

Is the Minister in a position to comment on the recent case now being investigated by his Department?

I would not like to be pressed to comment in too general a way on it. I would be prepared to give any information requested in these questions but, as the Deputy is aware, police inquiries are continuing.

Would it be reasonable to assume that the Minister is not happy with the fact that no period of time is allowed to elapse, as mentioned in the question? Is that matter under consideration by him?

Yes. An unfortunate tragic occurrence like this naturally alterts us to all sorts of things that we might have looked at before but did not. There is no excuse for us, now that this tragic occurrence has taken place, not to look into all these aspects.

32.

asked the Minister for Health if he will furnish details of the class or classes of persons into whose custody a child placed in residential care by way of court order may be released.

Where a child has been committed to residential care by order of the court under section 58 of the Children Act, 1908, the child may be discharged only to the parent or guardian on the order of the Minister for Education or the court.

Where, however, a child is committed to the care of a "fit person", under section 21 of the Children Act, 1908, then that person has charge of the child as long as the court order remains in force. A "fit person" can include a health board, which would then have control on where the child would be kept.

33.

asked the Minister for Health the method of assessment used in ascertaining the suitability of persons to be employed in children's residential homes; and the qualifications necessary for such appointments.

The method of assessment of the suitability of persons to be employed in children's residential homes is a matter for the management of each home. I understand that those seeking employment are normally interviewed by a suitably constituted board and that references are obtained from their previous employers.

The qualifications necessary for such appointments are a matter for the authorities of the residential homes but I understand that, for posts of responsibility within a home, candidates would in practice have to possess relevant experience and would desirably have a formal qualification in child care or other relevant discipline. Trainees and other child care workers, who do not already possess a qualification, are, subject to availability of training places, given leave of absence to acquire a relevant qualification.

While I appreciate the Minister's constraint in relation to a recent tragic incident, can he give an assurance to the House that in relation to the three areas mentioned in the questions he will have a full investigation carried out into the various checks and the system that obtains at present? Will he ensure that the system is improved?

I gladly give that assurance.