Vol. 511 No. 3
58 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has for a joint initiative with the Department of Health and Children to establish a series of local child care strategy groups; if a budget will be provided for these groups; if he will provide details of their function; and when he proposes to establish them. [24334/99]
The Deputy may be aware of the recent announcement of a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Health and Children on local child care strategy groups.
I am very conscious of the need for co-ordination in the delivery of childcare provision. It is intended that, over the course of the national development plan, child care provision will be pursued in a co-ordinated manner both at local level and nationally. My Department is working in conjunction with other Departments on the development of national and local co-ordinating bodies. The question of what functions will be assigned to these bodies is being considered in that context.
No decisions have yet been made in relation to the funding or composition of the local bodies, but it is my intention that the national and local co-ordination bodies will be set up as soon as possible.
