Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 4

Written Answers. - Child Care Initiatives.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

133 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the need to put measures in place to support the family particularly the whole area of child care, pre-school, child-minding and so on for working parents which is of the utmost importance; his views on the need to put in place allowances for the provision of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20738/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

My Department established the expert working group on child care in July 1997 under Partnership 2000, to devise a national framework for the development of child care facilities in Ireland. The Minister of State launched the expert working group on 18 July 1997 and it is chaired by an assistant secretary of the Department. The group is due to report by end of December 1998.

The term child care, for the purposes of this group, is used a decribe day care facilities and services for pre-school children and school-going children out of school hours. It includes services offering care, education and socialisation opportunities for children to the benefit of children, parents, employers and the wider community. Thus services such as pre-schools, naíonraí, day care services, creches, playgroups, private child-minding and after-school groups are included.

The members of the group represent a range of Government Departments, statutory bodies, non-governmental organisations and individuals who have expertise and an interest in the area of child care. The group is focusing on the following child care issues: financial and employment implications of an integrated approach to the provision of child care facilities in Ireland; registration, training and qualifications of child care workers; resourcing and sustaining child care within urban disadvantaged areas; resourcing and sustaining child care within rural areas; regulations and standards, implementation of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996 and Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991; the needs and rights of children in relation to the development of a national framework; and equality of access and participation in relation to a national framework.

My Department placed an advertisement in the national press during the week ending 16 November 1997, inviting written submissions to the expert working group from interested parties. I know the Deputy will be pleased with this child care initiative and I assure him I will present any proposals on child care which emerge from this expert group to the Government.