Operators of residential child-care facilities have three weeks to apply for a licence or face closure, Rudyard Spencer, minister of health and environment warned yesterday.

At a meeting called with representatives of human-rights group, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) and the Child Development Agency (CDA), Spencer said the facilities must apply for a licence by August 20.

His order follows charges against a superintendent of a privately operated boys' home in St Mary.

Distribution to begin today

It is reported that the residential childcare superintendent was charged with 30 counts of buggery when he appeared in court last week.

Rashida St Juste, public relations manager of the CDA, said the licensing packages were available and distribution to the children's homes would start today.

There are about 50 residential childcare facilities islandwide.

Behaviour condemned

A release sent out by the health ministry said Spencer would be reviewing the recommendations put forward by the JFJ for the strengthening of the regulations to the Childcare and Protection Act.

Spencer strongly condemnedthe alleged behaviour of the superintendent.

Last week Monday, Cabinet approved a 66 per cent increase in the maintenance grant for privately operated children's homes.

This increase is expected to help the facilities to achieve the standards set by the CDA.