Ms Mary O'Dowd:

Deputy Maloney mentioned that the public health nurse is key when it comes to the welfare of children. A public health nurse is one of the first to refer a case. Statistics show that over 47% of children referred to the child care system are referred by the public health nurse.

The 1999 document Best Health for Children was not so much a policy document as a blueprint for screening. There was investment in the scheme at the time because it was during the Celtic tiger years. However, the scheme was scattered. The parts that were implemented were really good in some places. There are areas that still have not had the full training recommended in the report and the Deputy was right to point that out. The report recommended a screening programme.

I hope that I answered Deputy Catherine Byrne's question on key performance indicators. She also mentioned women's groups. I can reassure her that most public health nurses are aware of the women's groups. The public health nurse is the central person in any community and links people with all care groups in a local area.