The number of children referred to Child and Family Services for abuse and neglect was reduced to 429 in 2004/05, Government Senator Walter Roban revealed on Friday.

In the previous year the number of children referred totalled 555. Sen. Roban attributed the numbers to legislation making it mandatory to report any suspicions of child abuse.

The majority of the 429 children referred in 2004/05 were four years old or younger, while the second largest group were teens between the ages of 15-18.

Meanwhile, 20 new foster parents were recruited last year, bringing the total number of foster parents on the Island to 81 ? with 14 of those fostering more than one child.

Legislation to the Adoption Act giving children "better options of permanency" is on the way this year, Sen. Roban added. Sen. Roban also revealed Government is considering adding an additional pre-school year to the successful Happy Valley nursery school.

However Oppostion Sen. Bob Richards voiced concerns about the expense of residential treatment homes such as the Brangman Home and Oleander Cottage. The average cost per resident per day at each has risen to $380.65 from $281.21 last year ? a cost Senators likened to staying at the Fairmont Princess hotels.