Vol. 464 No. 8
13 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to expand his Department's pilot scheme for childcare facilities in disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8918/96]
A pilot childcare initiative scheme was introduced by my Department in 1994 and has continued into 1995 and 1996. A sum of £800,000 has been included in my Department's Estimates in 1996 for the initiative.
The purpose of the scheme is to assist with the establishment, on a pilot basis, of childcare measures utilising the skills of trained local people, to enable local residents to undertake education, training, retraining and employment opportunities which they would otherwise be unable to do in the absence of a childcare facility. Grants are confined to groups in designated areas of disadvantage.
The scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by Area Development Management (ADM) Ltd. This is an independent company designated by the Government and the European Commission to support integrated local economic and social development in co-operation with relevant area partnership companies established by the Government in designated disadvantaged areas.
