debated the Health and Social Services $103 million budget.

New Minister Clarence Terceira said in his opening remarks that as the public expected more services there were also constraints on Government spending.

As a result he is adopting a strategy of reviewing the department's programmes.

Dr. Terceira said, however, that it was still essential that the community at large assumed more responsibility for its own well-being.

Reports, he said, had been received on the health care system and child abuse reviews and there were major reviews of the prison service, the family services programme and the Ministry headquarters.

"As a result of the prison service review actions will be taken to address a broad range of issues, including the efficient deployment of staff, the organisational structure of the department, security and rehabilitation needs.'' Dr. Terceira added, however, that the plan would take two or three years to implement.

As a result of the family service review action was being taken to reorganise the department and add five new posts to provide "more proactive support to children and their families''.

The Minister said that a new unit was also being set up to review and monitor the Department's policies and programmes which will employ an extra four staff.

Other initiatives in the future included new legislation protecting children to replace the outdated Protection of Children Act, open a half-way house for prisoners towards the end of this year and appoint a prison consultant to help the Prisons Commissioner to implement recommendations.

The Minister also said $2.6 million will be set aside for a residential care project for adolescents placed under the Ministry's care as well as $945,000 for a day care centre at St. Brendan's for the mentally handicapped.

Half a million dollars has also been set aside to help cover the cost of a new incinerator at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and $450,000 has been set aside for a half-way house for prisoners.

Continued in Monday's newspaper Ministry of Health and Social Services 1997/98 estimates Ministry Responsibility: To promote and maintain the physical, mental and social well-being of the people of Bermuda.

Budget Estimate: $103,476,000 (last year $96,498,000) Budget Allocations Ministry headquarters $881,000 Health Department $12,023,000 Child and Family Services $7,240,000 Hospitals $56,160,000 Prisons $12,390,000 Financial Assistance $14,782,000