Vol. 512 No. 3
191 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to allow the Civil Service child care facility in Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, to be closed down due to lack of Government funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25805/99]
At the request of the staff unions, a meeting was held on Monday, 15 November 1999 in relation to the operation of the Civil Service crèche in Mount Street. At this meeting my officials were presented with details of the financial difficulties that had arisen in the operation of the crèche and the staff side put forward a number of proposals for the resolution of these difficulties.
In view of the urgency of this matter, the resolution of the immediate crisis has been assigned top priority by my officials. A proposal for an interim solution has been presented to the staff side and a meeting to discuss this proposal is scheduled to take place shortly.
The crèche in Mount Street opened in April, 1992. The management of the crèche is the responsibility of a co-operative set up by the staff unions. While the State provides the premises and funds the services to the premises, the day-to-day running costs are met from the fees paid by users of the crèche.
In keeping with the Government's recognition of the importance of childcare facilities for parents, I would like to assure the Deputy that my officials will consider all reasonable options to ensure that the issues brought to their attention in relation to the Mount Street crèche are addressed and resolved as speedily and cost effectively as possible.
