asked the Minister for Labour the number of semi-State bodies and companies which provide crèches and/or child care facilities for their employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Crèches and Child Care Facilities.
32.
While the provision and control of pre-school services is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Health, I understand that some semi-State bodies and private sector companies do provide crèches and/or child care facilities for their employees. Due to the fact that at present there is no statutory registration or supervision of pre-school services, no official record of the number of organisations providing these facilities are kept.
However, the Child Care Bill, 1988 (Part VI) aims to provide for the compulsory registration and supervision of all pre-school services. The new legislation, when in place, will put the onus on any person proposing to carry on a pre-school service to notify the relevant health board, which will be empowered to undertake inspections periodically. The health boards will then have an official record of all pre-school services including those operated by semi-State bodies and companies.