Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

293 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, his Department is considering to deal with the child care crisis, in particular with regard to access to child care for people living in disadvantaged areas and families who are dependent on social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The provision of child care services in disadvantaged communities acts as a key support to enable parents to avail of education, training and employment opportunities, thereby tackling the causes of poverty. Also of importance are the social benefits provided to children of disadvantaged communities who are then positioned to avail of state investment in education and elsewhere.

This rationale underpins my Department's equal opportunities child care programme. The programme has a budget of £11 million for the period 1998 and 1999, approximately £9 million of which has been directed to disadvantaged communities. The balance has been allocated to employer involvement in child care provision, development of the national voluntary child care organisations whose membership base comprises service providers and a research project in relation to family friendly policies.

The programme has provided capital grants to 106 community-based child care projects and is funding the salary costs of two senior child care workers in 25 flagship community support child care projects. Training and development supports are also being provided for these projects and to partnerships and community groups to assist them in providing quality child care. Although the programme has yet to complete its 1998-99 phase, it is clear that it is making a vital contribution to improving the quality and quantity of child care provision in the communities concerned.

My Department also chaired the interdepartmental committee on child care which considered the child care proposals in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium and recent relevant reports as directed by its terms of reference. The committee considered a range of child care issues, including support for the development of child care services and supports for parents to access services, and has submitted a report to Government as requested. The Government has noted the committee's report and has referred it for consideration to a ministerial group, which I am chairing, and which includes the Tánaiste and the Ministers for Finance, Health and Children, Social, Community and Family Affairs and Education and Science. Future supports for child care will be considered in this context.