Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

On Senator O'Malley's question, section 38 of the Health Act 1994 provides that the Health Service Executive may enter into an arrangement with a person to provide a special care unit. The amendment proposes that, in circumstances where a private provider is involved in the care of a child, the HSE will retain control over treatments, applications for passports and other matters for which a parent would normally give consent. As I indicated, there are no private providers operating in the area of special care, although private companies operate in areas such as foster care and residential units.

Amendment agreed to.

Government amendment No. 7:

In page 14, line 45, to delete "of, those proceedings" and substitute "of those proceedings".

Amendment agreed to.