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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 May 1987

Vol. 372 No. 10

Written Answers. - Creche Facilities.

228.

asked the Minister for Labour regarding the creche situated at No. 3 Lanewood Mews, Pembroke Lane, Dublin 4: (1) from whom the permises was rented by AnCO, and at what rent; (2) the length of the lease; (3) whether AnCO is entitled under the terms of the lease to surrender the premises before the expiry date; (4) whether the premises were secured through the services of any auctioneer or estate agent; the number of premises which were considered by AnCO for this purpose; and whether his Department was consulted, or approved, of the premises.

229.

asked the Minister for Labour regarding the creche situated at No. 3 Lanewood Mews, Pembroke Lane, Dublin 4 whether (1) the creche is being funded by moneys in his Department's estimate and if so, the amount; (2) whether and to what extent the full time or part time employees working in the creche are paid out of public funds and the capacity in which they are paid; (3) whether any charge is made to those making use of the creche facilities for their children and, if so, the amount; (4) whether the approval of his Department was given for the opening and operation of the creche; (5) whether children of public servants of his Department or the Department of Finance or any other Department of State have used or are using the facilities; and (6) whether it is proposed to leave the creche in existence or whether An Comhairle Oiliúna will close it.

230.

asked the Minister for Labour regarding the creche at No. 3 Lanewood Mews, Pembroke Lane, Dublin 4: (1) whether it is contended by his Department that the provision of such creche facilities is in the course of the activities of a State authority and, if so, by which State authority; (2) whether it is contended by his Department that the use of such premises as a creche by AnCO is an exempt development for planning law purposes, (3) whether the building of a fire escape at the premises is an exempt development; (4) the consultation, if any, which took place between his Department, AnCO and the Dublin Corporation planning department in relation to the use of the premises as a creche; (5) in view of the strong feeling of resentment by local residents and in light of the current budgetary constraints, whether the use of these premises as a creche will be discontinued and the premises returned to commercial use; (6) if he will make a statement regarding the recent reports in the media (details supplied) concerning the creche; and (7) if he will make a statement regarding the desirability of AnCO moneys being used to supply or subsidise valuable services to members of the public service and State-sponsored agencies.

I propose to take Question Nos. 228 to 230, inclusive, together. Following discussions between the then Minister for Labour and AnCO, the Council of AnCO decided to provide, on a pilot basis, a creche for the staff of the Department of Labour, AnCO and other associated bodies. The council took this decision subject to the approval of the then Minister which was given in October 1986, though formal sanction would not normally be required for such a project. Similar facilities are provided by a number of employers in the public sector for the children of members of their staffs.

The start up costs of the creche were borne by AnCO. No payments have been made towards these costs by my Department. I understand that parents using the facilities pay charges in the normal way.

The then Minister took the view that use of the premises as a creche for children of the staff of the Department of Labour, AnCO and its other associated bodies did not require planning permission. In September 1986 he sent details of the proposal to the planning department of Dublin Corporation for information.

As I indicated, this is a pilot project and it will be evaluated by AnCO before the lease expires in September 1987. I see the future of the creche as a matter primarily for AnCO. I would expect them to have regard to all relevant considerations including the views of local residents in reaching a decision. Management of the creche is a matter for AnCO; the other matters raised in the questions related to day to day aspects of the running of the creche.

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