Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

211 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of child care places lost or closed as a result of the inspection process in each health board area during the years 1996 to 2000; the reasons for closure in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25085/00]

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

I do not have complete information from the health boards in relation to the data requested by the Deputy. I am asking the chief executive officer of each health board and the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought in respect of their area.

The Deputy may wish to note that the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, were signed into law on 18 December 1996 and came into operation on 31 December 1996. On commencement, the regulations provided a six month period for the initial notification by the then existing pre-school providers to health boards. I understand that the health board inspection process would have begun in late 1997 or early 1998. Consequently data will not be available from the health boards in relation to 1996 and may not be available from some boards in respect of 1997.