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Child Care Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2012

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Questions (169, 171)

Ray Butler

Question:

169. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on childcare policy in the context of her own Department's role in this area, with particular reference to recent consultation with other Departments, her recent visit to Sweden, any proposals she intends to bring forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45152/12]

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Clare Daly

Question:

171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will update Dáil Éireann regarding consultation between lone parent groups and various Government Departments regarding the working childcare model based on Scandinavian countries and other proposals for consideration as stated earlier this year. [45215/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 171 together.

The inter-departmental group (IDG) on school-age childcare consists of representatives from the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, (DCYA) – which is the lead Department in relation to child care policy and provision – and the Department of Education and Skills.

The role of the group is to explore the best possible model for enhancing the provision of school-age childcare to assist in meeting the childcare needs of the customers of my Department, including lone parents. The model in question will seek to address the childcare requirements of children aged between 7 and 12 (inclusive) and will also address the child care required during both the school term and the school holidays.

Extensive work has been completed by the IDG to quantify the level of school-age childcare required to support the relevant social welfare income support recipients, in particular lone parents, for each year up to and including 2015. An examination has been completed of existing childcare schemes and the capital investments already made by DCYA in this sector. It is intended to submit proposals on school-age childcare to Government for their consideration.

Officials in the Department have also met with some of the representative groups to discuss a number of issuing affecting lone parents including their initial views in relation to childcare. In addition to this work, I have had the opportunity, with my officials to examine the Swedish childcare system. The information and experience gained will provide valuable input to the on-going work of the IDG on school-age childcare.

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