John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason social workers are not on duty after office hours during the week and at the weekend and public holidays; her plans in the Government's care plan to amend this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3876/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of an out-of-hours service in the context of the development of family support and child care services, including the implementation of the youth homelessness strategy, is identified in action 27 of the health strategy, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You. While some progress has been made in certain areas of the country on the provision of out-of-hours services, the issue of a national formalised arrangement on such services, including the provision of social work services, is a matter for negotiation between the Health Service Executive and the trade unions representing the staff interests concerned. The HSE is reviewing the youth homelessness strategy action plans of its regions. The Department of Health and Children will have discussions on the outcome of the review with the HSE. The issue of out-of-hours arrangements will be examined in this context and in the wider context of the development of child care and family support services. I have asked the HSE to give the Deputy information on the current out-of-hours arrangements in child care and family support services.