asked the Minister for Labour if he will ensure the continuation of the crèche facilities provided on a pilot basis for the staff of FÁS and his Department with the prospect of extended childcare facilities to all Government Departments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Créche Facilities.
8.
The crèche was set up by AnCO as a pilot project for a period finishing September 1987. Following extension of the original September 1987 deadline for ending AnCO's financial involvement with the crèche, it has now been in full operation for about 15 months. During this period Dublin Corporation refused planning permission to the crèche in its current premises.
The board of FÁS has decided that the crèche will have to operate on a private commercial basis after 31 March 1988. I have asked FÁS to provide whatever non-financial assistance they can towards the establishment of the crèche on a private basis within these constraints.
The question of the extension of childcare facilities to other Government Departments would have to be looked at in the context of the public sector generally and would not be a matter for my Department.
May I put it to the Minister that because this crèche is run on a pilot basis that it is of the utmost importance, not just to his Department but in the context of equal opportunity in our society, that it be continued and allowed to flourish? May I ask the Minister if it is viable to expect the parents alone to now run it on a commercial basis with no help, support or subsidy? Is it the policy of the Government to merely allow crèches to operate on a purely commercial basis without any help or subsidy? If so, how can we justify an equality of opportunities programme?
I cannot answer on the general position in relation to crèches but in relation to this crèche, the Deputy will be aware that it was to be closed about five or six months ago but I extended that period until such time as the organisation were in a position to open a viable crèche of their own. They are now in a position to do that and that is the reason why this crèche is being terminated.
The Minister said that he cannot answer general questions about crèches but will he confirm to the House that he does have responsibilities in this area and that the responsibility within Government for responding to the report on childcare rests with him and the Minister for Health? Can I ask the Minister what is the latest state of play on his response to that report?
That is a different question. In relation to the question I was asked by Deputy Barnes, the crèche that was connected with AnCO, and which should have closed several months ago, is now thriving and full of young children. The crèche is being moved to new premises and will continue to function.
I look forward to availing of it at some stage.
In the light of the decision by FÁS to allow this crèche to continue on a purely commercial basis only, may I ask the Minister if I can take it, that in the area of training and participation of women in training FÁS are not prepared to give any subsidy or support to crèches within their responsibility?
That, again, is a different question. In relation to the question Deputy Barnes asked, it is not a question of FÁS allowing the crèche to continue. The crèche needed time to become viable. The organisation have now succeeded in doing that so their links with FÁS have ceased. They are about to open a private crèche which will be funded by them.
Would the Minister not agree that the withdrawal of FÁS from this area is a retrograde step? I am a little confused at the suggestion from Deputies Birmingham and Barnes that we nationalise the child-minding service and privatise everything else.
The Deputy has no idea of my views. He will find them on the record.
I am strongly in favour of privatisation.