asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans for the registration of child care facilities below the national school age; and if he has any plans for State funding of such facilities.
Written Answers. - Child Care Facilities.
72.
My proposals in relation to the supervision and inspection of pre-school services for children are contained in Part VI of the Child Care Bill, 1988, which was recently referred to a special committee of the House for consideration.
As regards funding for such facilities, I would point out that for a number of years health boards have been providing financial assistance to day nurseries, pre-school playgroups and other similar services. In 1987, the latest year for which figures are available, health boards supported almost 300 centres catering for over 7,000 children at a cost of £1.122 million.