asked the Minister for Health if he will make arrangements for better nursing facilities for the children of working mothers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nursing Facilities.
8.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the provision of suitable day nurseries for children of working mothers.
Health boards are empowered to pay grants to voluntary agencies towards the costs of day nurseries, and so on, where the need exists and in areas presenting special social problems to provide such centres directly when suitable voluntary bodies for this work cannot be found.
Additional financial provision was made in the 1973 budget and in the current year's budget towards the development of community services including the provision of day nurseries. A number of new centres have been opened recently throughout the country and reports furnished to my Department by the health boards indicate that further centres are being provided.
May I ask the Minister if the health board authorities will provide these themselves other than through voluntary agencies?
Both the health boards and the voluntary agencies can do this.
Can the health boards provide them themselves?
I am not quite sure. If the Deputy asks me again I will give him the information. Certainly they can be provided through voluntary agencies.