Vol. 452 No. 8
164 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the facilities in terms of assistance with baby-minding or creche facilities available to students who take up a vocational training opportunity scheme foundation course. [8829/95]
165 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is a mother with two children, three and four years old, will be assisted with baby-minding facilities. [8830/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
There is no specific financial provision at present in the vocational training opportunity scheme for assisting participants with child-care. However vocational education committees may provide assistance, where possible, within the funding available to them for general non-pay costs for the scheme. Some vocational education committees do so having regard to local circumstances.
At the centre where the person concerned in the question is participating in VTOS, crèche facilities are provided in the morning. Because of lack of demand the vocational education committee has not found it practicable to provide such facilities in the afternoon. It has the situation under review. The position concerning child care for participants in VTOS generally is being kept under review in my Department.
