Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Charges.

Richard Bruton

Question:

104 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if increases in charges to individuals, to companies or to groups have been sanctioned to be charged by agencies or units under the aegis of his Department; and the changes being made in absolute and in percentage terms. [23093/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

Information in relation to increases in charges to individuals, companies or groups charged by agencies or units under the aegis of the Department of Finance, since my reappointment as Minister for Finance, is set out as follows. The following is a list of existing charges for facilities at Dublin Castle. Also shown are proposed charges from 1 January 2003.

Room Hire Charges

	2002 Cost (€)	2003 Cost (€)	Increase (actual) (€)	Increase (%)
Conference Hall	4,950	5,170	220	4.44
Bedford Hall	1,275	1,330	55	4.31
Conference and Bedford Halls	5,575	5,825	250	4.48
Bedford and Castle Halls	1,900	1,985	85	4.47
President's Suite	825	860	35	4.24
West Range Suite	1,075	1,120	45	4.18
Erin Room	1,525	1,590	65	4.26
Bedford Hall and Erin Room	1,850	1,930	80	4.32
Coach House	1,400	1,460	60	4.28
Castle Hall and Reception (Day)	1,400	1,460	60	4.28
Castle Hall and Reception (night)	1,525	1,590	65	4.26

Admission Charges to State Apartments, Dublin Castle:

	2002 Cost (€)	2003 Cost (€)	Increase (actual) (€)	Increase (%)
Standard Adult	4.00	4.25	0.25	6.25
Student-Senior Citizens	3.00	3.25	0.25	8.33
Children	1.50	1.75	0.25	16.67

The interim Civil Service child care agency, which is managing the Civil Service child care initiative, sanctioned an increase in fees in the Civil Service crèche in Lower Mount Street with effect from 1 November 2002. The crèche operator was appointed on 27 September 2002 after a public tendering procedure and the new fees were fixed as part of this process. A flat fee of €108 per child per week has been charged for the last two years. The new structure is related to the age of the child and the following rates now apply.

Category	New Fee	AbsoluteIncrease	% Increase
Babies	€146	€38	35.19%
Toddlers	€136	€28	25.93%
Montessori	€126	€18	16.67%

The Civil Service crèche in Mount Street, Dublin, closed in September, 2000 following an inspection by the Eastern Health Board, which indicated that the premises did not meet the required standards, and was subsequently refurbished to a high standard by the Office of Public Works. To minimise disruption to parents, a child care provider had to be found as quickly as possible. A suitable commercial company was found and, as part of a temporary arrangement to ensure the reopening of the crèche, was paid a monthly management fee from public funds. For its part, the new operator agreed to hold the fees below market levels as much as possible. The crèche reopened and is offering children care of the highest standard.

Budget 2001 allocated funds for crèches for the children of civil servants throughout Ireland. An interim agency was established in 2002 to manage the development of premises and the selection of providers. A new crèche is about to open in Marlborough Street, Dublin, and work has started on projects in Ennis, Athlone and Sligo. Other crèches are being planned. It was decided to include the crèche in Mount Street within the new structure. Earlier this year, tenders were sought from child care providers for the operation of the Mount Street crèche and the new project in Marlborough Street and following an open process, licences have been awarded to a provider. Under the new arrangement, no monthly fee is paid to the operator of the Mount Street crèche and this has resulted in the fee increases. It must be pointed out that, as the premises are provided free of rent and, as the cost of heat, light and equipment is met from public funds, the fees in Mount Street are still considerably below those charged in comparable crèches in Dublin city centre.