Vol. 510 No. 2
18 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action, if any, her Department is taking with other Departments with regard to the deliverance of child care places in view of the fact that all recent surveys on skills and employment shortages have highlighted the lack of such places as an issue which affects people's availability for work, particularly women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21866/99]
19 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the treatment of child care in the tax and social welfare system are key factors in determining work incentives for spouses and female labour force participation; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of regulated child care places is contracting while the demand will increase significantly over the coming years; the plans, if any, she has to alleviate the problem of constraining labour market participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21884/99]
77 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action, if any, her Department is taking with other Departments with regard to the deliverance of child care places in view of the fact all recent surveys on skills and employment shortages have highlighted the lack of such places as an issue which effects people's availability for work, particularly women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22042/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19 and 77 together.
In responding on an issue like this, it is always useful to look first at the data. In the first instance female labour force participation in the prime age group 25-44 – which is also the main child rearing group – is around 68%, which compares well with the European average of around 63%. Our female labour force participation in the 45-64 age group at around 38% remains a lot lower than the European average. Clearly, child care availability has not been a blockage to increasing female labour force participation, but I accept fully that it has been a constraint and a real problem issue for many working parents. I am aware also of the various reports, referred to by the Deputy.
To address this very important issue in a comprehensive manner the Government established an Interdepartmental Committee on Child Care, under the chairmanship of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and that Committee recently submitted its report to Government. The Government is currently examining in detail the findings and recommendations of that report and will be delivering its decisions on same in the near future. In the context of the report, and the overall needs of the labour market, my Department will continue to work with other Departments to ensure the provision of appropriate child care facilities.
