Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

643 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of crèches, nurseries and child minders registered with each health board to date; the numbers estimated to be unregistered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20477/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin):

The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, which give effect to the provisions of Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991, provide for notification to, rather than registration, and inspection by health boards of pre-school services. The regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, crèches, childminders looking after more than three children and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age.

Under the regulations, pre-school providers are obliged to notify their local health board that they are carrying on or proposing to carry on a pre-school service. On receipt of notification the health board will provide relevant information to the applicant and arrange for an inspection to be carried out by an authorised person. Based on the most up-to-date information available from the health boards, excluding the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, the numbers of notifications to health boards are as follows:

Health Board	No. of Facilities Notified
Eastern Regional Health Authorityarea	*
Midland Health Board	200
Mid-Western Health Board	354
North-Eastern Health Board	316
North-Western Health Board	217
South-Eastern Health Board	340
Southern Health Board	583
Western Health Board	365

*Information from the Eastern Regional Health Authority is not yet to hand. I will forward it to the Deputy when available.

Precise information on the number of pre-school providers who have not complied with the notification requirements is difficult to compile. Notifications to the health boards are ongoing as new facilities come on stream. Health boards continue to take steps to pursue pre-school providers who have not complied with the regulations.