asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken for the provision of an extensive network of child care centres throughout Ireland.
Written Answers. - Child Care Centres.
13.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to day care centres and nurseries for children at risk.
At present health boards support 83 such centres, catering for over 2,500 children. The policy of my Department is to support the provision of facilities for children of families in need of special support. Accordingly, health boards support the provision of nursery and day care facilities for children of these families. The categories normally provided for are children of single parent families; children whose mothers have been deserted or widowed and have to find employment because of economic necessity; and children of parents who, because of illness or similar circumstances, are not able to cope with the children at home without special support.
The policy of encouraging and supporting voluntary groups to provide day care facilities for these children will continue. In the Eastern Health Board area, nurseries will in future be provided in each new major health centre and the board will, where appropriate, provide small revenue grants to pre-school playgroups who previously had to rely solely on local authority and community support.