Vol. 427 No. 4
5 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if the Government has yet received the report of the working party on child care; if not, when it is expected; the steps, if any, which are being taken to implement the EC recommendations on child care signed by the then Minister for Labour in December 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I expect to receive the report of the Working Party on Child Care for Working Parents shortly. The task of the working party was extended in 1991 to include consideration of the EC Child Care Recommendation. I will be considering the recommendations of the Working Party on Child Care for Working Parents as well as those of the Second Commission on the Status of Women on the subject of child care over the coming months with a view to progressing the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government with regard to child care and responding to the EC recommendation.
Is the Minister aware that, apart from the reference to the Second Commission on the Status of Women, his reply is almost identical to the replies given in July 1991, November 1991 and June 1992, and people are doubtful at this stage of ever seeing this report? The previous Minister made a commitment to develop specific policies in response to the need to improve child care. Will the Minister elaborate on how he intends to honour that commitment?
I am aware there have been delays in bringing forward this report but I cannot accept responsibility for what did or did not take place during a previous administration. I have made inquiries about the report and have been told it will be published in the next couple of months. I will then examine it and will consider all the recommendations with a view to their implementation.
Obviously, the whole question of crèches is crucial to child care and, since Ministers have made the Government a family affair, will a crèche be provided in the Dáil or indeed in the Tánaiste's upgraded offices?
That matter was dealt with earlier.
