Vol. 517 No. 6
58 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to develop out of school hours child care services by community groups as promised in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. [8698/00]
102 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which his Department will assist in the development of an out of school hours child care service by community groups in view of the commitment given in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10532/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 102 together.
As announced in budget 2000, an annual allocation of £5 million has been provided to my Department to support provision of out-of-school hours and child care services in disadvantaged communities. It is envisaged that the funding will mainly be made available to the projects funded under the community development support programmes, viz: community development programme; family and community services resource centre programme; and core-funded community and family support groups programme.
The report of the interdepartmental committee on child care recommended that funding be provided totalling £5 million per annum for community groups towards developing out of school hours services. The committee anticipated that the provision of this funding to less well off communities would address a number of issues, viz., 1. the provision of low cost out-of-school child care for parents who are in the paid labour market; 2. practical support for children who need additional support to maintain their interest in school; 3. the promotion of parental and community involvement in engaging young people in school and community life, and 4. the provision of additional community based services for families.
In keeping with the spirit of partnership which informs the way in which these community development programmes are managed in my Department, a working group representative of the local community development groups themselves and other interests and expertise in the child care area has been set up to advise on the detailed design of this scheme and in particular issues such as criteria for applications, technical support needs, service standards, staff issues, etc.
I expect that the working group will complete its work on the details of the scheme within the next few weeks. Given the need to allow sufficient time for local groups to draw up and submit applications, I anticipate that I will be in a position to commence allocation of monies under the scheme in May.
