Vol. 492 No. 7
212 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to make funding or grant aid available to facilitate cre che owners to comply with the regulations contained in the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996; and, if so, when funding will be available. [14897/98]
Health boards provide financial supports 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 board's overall responsibilities under the Child Care Act, 1991, in regard to the promotion of the welfare of children and provision of family support services. The policy of supporting certain pre-school services will continue in future and may include financial assistance to upgrade premises associated with such services.
The Partnership 2000 Expert Working Group on Child Care, under the auspices of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is currently examining the provision of a co-ordinated national framework for the development of a child care infrastructure. The expert working group is due to report at the end of the year and I intend to take the health related aspects of its recommendations into consideration in due course.
