Vol. 576 No. 5
66 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the lack of child care provision is one of the most significant barriers to women returning to the labour market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29851/03]
One of the main challenges in the area of employment policy is to increase the overall numbers of those at work, including women. Participation by women in the labour market has, during the past ten years, increased by one third. The employment rate for females in 2002 stood at 55.2%, which compares to the EU average rate of 55.5% for females in employment in the same period.
I accept the provision of child care facilities is an important factor in encouraging women to take up employment and the Government is committed to meeting the diverse needs of parents and children through supporting the development of accessible, high quality child care services. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which has overall responsibility for the formulation of national policy on child care and for the implementation of child care services, established structures to bring the key players together at national and local level to ensure effective development.
The principal aim of the Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme 2000-06 is the development of quality child care to meet the needs of parents in employment, training or education. Funding made available under the programme amounts to €436.7 million up to 2006. As of 30 November 2003, €234.6 million has been committed under the programme. It is estimated that the grants to child care providers and community groups to date will create 26,948 new child care places and will also support more than 25,919 existing places.
Both IDA Ireland and FÁS, which operate under the aegis of my Department, have introduced initiatives designed to facilitate the increased participation of women in the workforce. IDA Ireland has identified six of its existing business parks for the development of child care services. This will benefit both employers and employees and thereby enhance the attractiveness of IDA Ireland parks to international investors. FÁS has operated a pilot child care allowance scheme since 2001 to facilitate primary child carers who wish to seek training to get back into the workforce. A sum of €6.7 million has been allocated to the scheme in 2003.
I take it from the Minister of State's reply that the average return to work rates in both Ireland and the EU is decreasing. Will the Minister of State confirm that this is the case? The averages in 1999 were 68% in Ireland and 63% in the EU. The Minister of State referred to a figure of 55.2% in Ireland. If this is the case, is there any prospect that this return to work percentage will ever be met? Are we tackling a mountain with a teaspoon? Are we ever going to lower this barrier for women returning to the workplace?
Given that IDA Ireland is at last beginning to earmark areas in its parks for child care facilities, would State-run child care facilities speed up this process and ensure that such necessary facilities are put in place?
The figure of 55.2% employment rate for females is a comparison with the EU rate of 55.5%.
It is lower.
The rate of employment among females in Ireland jumped 15% since 1994 to 55.2% in 2002. The employment rate for women aged 25 to 29, standing at 78%, is much higher than in most OECD countries. All the evidence suggests that there has been a significant increase in the number of women entering the workplace. This is due in no small way to the increased child care provisions that have been made.
We all accept that there is a need for continuing increases in the number of child care places provided. Since 1992, when hardly any child care facilities were available in this State, there has been significant investment and a large number of places provided. This has been accompanied by a significant increase in the number of women joining the workforce. While I am the first to accept there is a need for further places, I do not accept that State provision of such places is the answer. However, there is a good combination between State and private sector provision under current arrangements. One can see the level of support given by the State in, for example, IDA industrial parks and working class areas where women are returning to the workforce.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
