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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Ivan Yates

Question:

210 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial assistance, if any, available for the establishment of crèche or pre-school facilities. [9520/99]

My Department's involvement in the area of pre-school education is currently confined to its support for the early start pre-school pilot programme, the Rutland Street pre-school project and pre-schools for traveller children. Expenditure on these services amounted to slightly in excess of £1 million in 1998.

In 1998 I held a national forum for early childhood education. My objective in holding the forum was to allow all groups with an interest in the area of early childhood education to put forward their views as to how best to co-ordinate and support the future development of services in this area. The report on the outcome of the forum has now been received in my Department and is being considered as part of the preparation of a White Paper on early childhood education which will set out my proposals for future development of services in this area. In advance of completion of the White Paper I recently announced an allocation of £1.2 million for special initiatives on early education. My intention is that this funding will be focused in particular on the development of early education services for children with disabilities. My Department is currently considering possible developments in this regard.

A child care measure was implemented for the first time in 1998 for Youthreach, VTOS and traveller training programmes, with support from the European Social Fund. A budget of £544,000 was provided in 1998 through the vocational education committees and a further £2.15 million is available in 1999.
Moneys have been allocated to the vocational education committees by my Department to enable funds to be used for direct provision of crèche facilities in centres, or in rented premises, including staff, equipment/refurbishment, rental, insurance and other overheads; purchase of places on existing community or commercial crèches and payment of child minders, subject to a maximum of £50 per child.
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