Vol. 444 No. 7
18 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the organisations or groups he has consulted with so far regarding the report of the working party on child care services for working parents, published on 15 March 1994; the responses, if any, received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
20 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the action, if any, he will take on the recommendations of the working group on child care facilities for working parents in view of the fact that the working group was first set up over four years ago to advise on the potential for early action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations of the working group on childcare for working parents.
121 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the progress that has been made to implement the recommendations of the working group on childcare for working parents; the time schedule to implement all recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 20, 22 and 121 together.
On 23 March last I outlined the position regarding interdepartmental consultation to establish the Government's response to this report. This consultation is ongoing. All Departments were consulted and many public sector bodies, including tripartite bodies at national and local level, as mentioned in the working group recommendations, are in turn being consulted by their parent Departments. Effective progress on many of the recommendations will involve partnerships between interest groups and relevant public sector authorities. I hope to see progress in respect of these in the coming months. This consultation process does not preclude immediate action being taken and already steps are being taken to advance a number of the recommendations.
