I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 61 together.
The Government is conscious of the need for child care facilities for parents with family responsibilities to enable them participate in the employment market and is committed to the stimulation of the development of such facilities by employers, parents and community interests.
Responsibility for the various aspects of child care resides with a number of Ministers. However I am happy to report progress consequent on the publication of the working group's report.
Arising from the publication of the report my Department undertook interdepartmental consultations with all Government Departments responsible for particular policies and action areas covered by the recommendations in the report. In particular, in view of the timescale imposed by the Community Support Framework these contacts targeted the need for the development of actions to be taken under the National Development Plan. In addition, early action was taken to get child care projects up and running.
Last year I set up a scheme of funding in my Department to assist in the development of a number of pilot child care projects in disadvantaged areas. Under this pilot scheme grant assistance is provided for new and innovative child care projects with strong local participation and in particular for partnerships between employers and community groups. An allocation of £1 million of Exchequer funds has been approved by my Department to date for a total of 75 projects under this scheme. This initiative will enable those with family responsibilities to undertake education, training, retraining and employment opportunities which they would otherwise be unable to aspire to in the absence of a child care facility.