Vol. 448 No. 3
33 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the current status of the report on Childcare; if he has presented the report to Government; and if he will support the recommendation to have a childcare authority established. [1992/95]
On publication of this report I immediately brought it to the attention of Government. Since then Departments, along with other interests to which the recommendations were addressed, have been availing of the report of the Working Party on Childcare for Working Parents as a reference base for childcare measures.
The report promotes the partnership in childcare concept and encourages co-operation between employers in the public and private sector and parent and community interests to increase the supply of quality childcare.
Last year my Department set up a scheme of local childcare projects administered through local partnership structures. I am pleased to say that FÁS has indicated its intention to co-operate in such schemes, and to assist in developing childcare enterprises and community-based childcare facilities through childcare actions under the Community Employment and Community Training schemes.
Furthermore, under the human resource operation programme of the National Development Plan which will be launched shortly, the need to develop childcare facilities to support women's access to training and employment schemes is acknowledged, and childcare initiatives to be undertaken by FÁS and the Department of Education will be developed.
