Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 3

Written Answers. - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

101 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the VTOS child care budget for each of the past three years; the number of students who received child care assistance in each of the past three years; the plans, if any, he has to provide child care services within the colleges concerned in view of the difficulties in accessing these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20183/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

A provision of £2.7 million has been made available to my Department, in the financial years 1998 and 1999, for the provision of child care facilities for participants in VTOS, Youthreach and senior traveller training programmes. There had been no direct provision of childcare moneys for these programmes prior to September 1998.

This funding has been allocated to vocational education committees on foot of joint applications from vocational education committees and area based partnerships. A flexible approach has been adopted under which the funds can be used for (1) direct provision of crèche facilities, including staffing, overheads and refurbishment where appropriate. It may not be feasible for each centre to have its own facility; (2) purchase of places in existing crèches, subject to a maximum of £50 per week per child for full sessions; (3) payment to childminders subject to the same maxima, subject to appropriate invoicing arrangements, compliance with registration requirements under the Childcare Act and satis factory implementation of tax clearance arrangements.

This investment is complemented by investment in childcare services by Area Development Management and by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The latest figures available, taken at the end of June, 1999 showed that approximately 420 students on VTOS, Youthreach and Traveller programmes benefited from the measure. Feedback on the implementation of the measure indicates some difficulties in regard to the availability of cre±che facilities generally, rapidly rising childcare costs, and a shortage of childminders allied with fears of transferring from the black economy. My Department is examining these issues in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Area Development Management.

The Green Paper on Adult Education recognises the need to improve access for adults returning to education, including removal of barriers such as the lack of availability of childcare. This issue will be further progressed in the context of developments under the National Development Plan and the White Paper on Adult Education.