Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the first issue, Deputy Kenny is aware that a task force on world hunger has been established. A number of prominent people are working in this area. The task force is doing useful work with the resources contributed by Ireland through the ODA budget. Our current contribution is more than 0.5%.

On the two legislative measures, the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill is to allow for an increase in resources. It is a five year programme and it requires a statutory base.

The mental health amendment Bill seeks to empower the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, to monitor and ensure compliance with the standards of assessment based on the 2001 report of the review body of mental health. Quite a number of centres cater for adolescents on a day basis and allow them home again rather than institutionalise them.

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