As the Deputy knows, the crèche supplement is an emergency short-term measure. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform measures for staffing and capital grants support women who wish to return to work. They have a prerequisite of at least 10% towards the payment of the child care or crèche facility. In the Eastern Health Board area crèches are supported 90% by the health board, with a 10% supplement from my Department. This would not happen either in the Deputy's part of the world or in mine.
If there is a policy decision that we should have State-run crèches under the auspices of the Department of Health and Children, it is the responsibility of that Department, likewise if it is under the auspices of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform it should fall to that Department and not be a short-term measure coming from my Department. On that basis I brought in several representatives and officials to discuss the issue. As I indicated in my response, until we finalise this matter I will continue the payment of the crèche supplements to those in receipt thereof since 1 January 2004.
I have provided significant support for people returning to work, particularly those who are long-term unemployed and there are other facilities where those provisions are made through other schemes. That said, the basic premise is that a policy decision must be made as to whether it is necessary to provide 100% State aid towards crèches in particular circumstances and areas. It could be asked whether that should be the situation in our part of the world. There is an inequity in the way in which the matter is handled. This funding was initially provided to support women, particularly those suffering from alcohol or drug abuse or domestic problems, in obtaining counselling services. That support will continue under the exceptional needs payment.
However, in pursuing this matter further it is quite obvious that we are dealing with an educational social disadvantage issue as opposed to someone who wishes to return to work or to participate in a counselling service. A fundamental review and analysis of the necessity for child care provision in certain circumstances, 100% funded by the State, must be conducted on that basis. I continue to do that and hope to meet with the relevant Ministers to pursue the matter further and finalise it.
All sides of the House agree that to have an ad hoc measure like this does not benefit the parents, the children or the full administration of what we want to see in these crèches. Other health board areas have been able to address this issue fundamentally whereas in the large urban areas, particularly Dublin, they have not been in a position to do so. I am pursuing this measure on that basis and on the basis that we have a new policy direction on child care provision.