184 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are on-campus child care facilities in institutes of technology; the way in which this compares with facilities which exist in universities; if he has a policy to directly intervene to assist colleges in developing child care facilities for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11170/00]
Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.
The Higher Education Authority equality unit published a report Who Cares in the Campus? on childcare provision in higher education institutions in Ireland in November 1999. The Report found that of the 40 institutions that responded to the 1998 All-Ireland survey, no Institute of Technology provided on-campus child care facilities. This compared with nine on-campus child care facilities in the university sector.
The Higher Education Authority equality unit concluded that the availability of quality, reliable and affordable child care is a key equality issue. It recommends the provision of child care facilities and-or child care grants to facilitate student parents participation in higher education and to facilitate equality of opportunity among staff members. The report noted that there were indications that the provision of child care is becoming a more activated issue in some sectors of higher education, with two of the universities having plans to build crèche facilities and the issue of child care provision being under consideration in a number of institutes of technology.