In relation to Question No. 10, I would draw the Minister's attention to social workers in the employment of health boards being frequently advised in cases in which children are at risk that under the existing legal position a health board cannot have a child taken into care? Would the Minister consider as a matter of urgency circulating all social workers, health boards and solicitors acting for them, that children who are in need of care can be made wards of court and taken into care by way of that procedure?

I would have no objection to doing that but I am advised that it would be a particularly cumbersome way of dealing with the situation. I have no objection to advising people of the availability of the remedy referred to by the Deputy.

I am not suggesting that that remedy should always be used. Where the Children Act of 1908 applies, it can be used. I am asking the Minister to circulate the relevant personnel concerned regarding the availability of the wards of court procedure. I am being contacted constantly by social workers from all parts of the country who are being given incorrect legal advice and because of that children are at risk. In these circumstances I am asking the Minister, rather than wait for a review to be concluded, to take immediate action, action of a fire brigade nature, to ensure that all persons dealing with children who are at risk, whether in terms of physical injury or otherwise, are aware of the legal procedures available to them to ensure that such children are properly protected.

I will be quite happy to do that.