asked the Minister for Health his Department's policy in relation to the report and recommendations of the Task Force Committee on Child Care Services.

6.

asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to implement the recommendations of the interim report on Child Care Services.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions numbers 5 and 6 together.

I assume that the questions refer to the Interim Report of the Task Force on Child Care Services, published in September, 1975. It is my policy to continue with the implementation of the recommendations in this report and my Department, in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Education, is maintaining satisfactory progress towards the implementation of these recommendations.

Has the Minister considered setting priorities in regard to the implementation of these recommendations?

Not specifically, but if the Deputy has a particular interest in any of the recommendations I shall be glad to have it favourably considered.

Can the Minister indicate if there is any date set for a final report of this committee?

That is a separate question.

No date has been set but I will be announcing very shortly some new arrangements in connection with this task force. The object would be to have our final report and the Children's Act as soon as possible, possibly within 12 to 18 months.

In view of the fact that the existing legislation is some 70 years old in this field, can the Minister indicate the date on which this task force last met?

The task force has not met since early in this year.

Has the Minister any plan to have this task force meet again? Can the Minister indicate who is now the chairman of the task force?

Question No. 7.

Has the Minister any plans to have the task force meet in the near future?

When I call the next question will Deputies please pay attention?

I will be making an announcement about the composition of the task force and its future programme very shortly, within a day or two. I would have wished to be able to make it today but that was not possible.