Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Crèche Facilities.

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

At present one Civil Service crèche is located on Mount Street. It has been in operation since 1992 and is open to children of civil servants from any Department or Government office. There are places for 24 children in this crèche. Its capital and equipment costs have been met by the Government. Parents pay a weekly fee of £85 per child.

A second Civil Service crèche based in Marlborough Street is expected to open in the autumn. The building work has been completed.

As part of the Government's policy on the provision of child care, I announced in my budget speech last December the allocation of £10 million capital over two years for the provision of 15 crèches for civil servants throughout the country. In response to this announcement the Department of Finance entered into negotiations with the Civil Service unions to reach agreement on the structures necessary to oversee such a major expansion of child care facilities.

It was agreed with the staff side that a new Civil Service child care agency would be established. Management of the Mount Street and Marlborough Street crèches will be the responsibility of the agency once its established.