Vol. 420 No. 7
8 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Labour if he has yet received the report of the working party on childcare; if not, whether any target date has been set for the completion of the working party's study; the number of occasions on which the working party has met so far; if it is intended to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have not yet received the final report of the working party on childcare for working parents. The working party expect to complete their deliberations and to finalise a report in the coming weeks.
Initially composed of representatives of the Departments of Labour and Health and of FÁS, together with the Irish representative on the EC Network on childcare, the membership of the working group was extended, at their request, in late 1990 to include representation from FIE and ICTU. So far, a total of 13 meetings of the working party have taken place.
The Government will consider the report of the working party with a view to developing specific policies and mechanisms to improve childcare for working parents. No decision has been taken about publishing the report, but my inclination would be to release it publicly in due course.
Will the Minister permit me to ask if he knows that three successive Ministers for Labour have given me the same answer to this question?
If the Deputy asks a supplementary question I will answer it.
Is the Minister aware that his two predecessors answered to the very same effect on 10 July 1991 and on 19 November 1991? May I ask the Minister to be a little more precise and indicate when the report will be finalised and whether it will be published immediately on completion? Will the implications of the NOW programme be given effect and taken into account?
One of the reasons for the delay in the publication of the report is that we wish to take account of the implications of the NOW programme. However let me say that I expect the report to be finalised in a matter of weeks and I am inclined to publish it in due course after my Department and I have had the chance to consider the recommendations therein.
