David Andrews
Question:85 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the requirement that one member of staff have responsibility for three babies only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23486/01]
Written Answers. - Child Care Services.
The Deputy will be aware that the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, give effect to the provisions of Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991, and provide for notification to and inspection by health boards of pre-school services. The purpose of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, is to build on the existing good standards in our pre-school services and gradually improve standards throughout the sector to secure the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children and to promote the development of children attending pre-school services. The explanatory guide to the regulations includes a recommendation to have one adult to three babies aged up to one year of age. I announced last week that a review of these regulations will commence shortly. The current recommendations for adult- child ratios will be examined as part of the review.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to the development of child care supply in Ireland having identified it as a priority area for investment in the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. A sustained level of funding has been allocated to the equal opportunities child care programme administered by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This programme, announced in April 2000, now has an overall budget of £344 million for child care service delivery and includes capital grants for community-based and self-employed private child care providers and staffing grants for community-based child care providers. Since July 2000, the Government has approved the allocation of more than £67 million in grants to more than 700 projects throughout the country. In all, 21,000 child care places will be supported by this approved allocation.