Vol. 480 No. 2
207 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if the new regulations introduced on cre ches were brought in by or with his Department's approval; if his attention has been drawn to the extra costs involved for many long-term operators of cre ches; the adaptation grants, if any, which are available for these operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13987/97]
211 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large number of private pre-schools which are now closing due to the difficulties faced in meeting the new regulations; if he will give consideration to the introduction of a grant scheme to assist owners to comply with the new regulations in order to avoid a crisis in provision of places; the other steps, if any, which he intends to take to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14018/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 211 together.
Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991 provides for the supervision and inspection by health boards of pre-school services. New regulations, the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, which gave effect to the provisions of Part VII, came into operation in December 1996. These regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, cre ches and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age. The purpose of the regulations is to secure the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children and to promote the development of children attending pre-school services.
The preparatory work on the regulations and accompanying explanatory guide was carried out during 1996 by a working group chaired by my Department and representative of the Department of Education, the health boards, the Social Services Inspectorate in Northern Ireland and a number of voluntary organisations involved in pre-school provision.
The new regulations apply to various sectors involved in pre-school provision, ranging from voluntary services for disadvantaged children through to full day care in the commercial sector. The health boards provide financial support to certain pre-school services which cater for children who are regarded as being at-risk or disadvantaged. This function is in keeping with the boards' overall responsibilities in regard to the promotion of the welfare of children at risk and provision of family support services. The policy of supporting certain pre-school services will continue in the future and may include financial assistance to upgrade premises associated with such services.
