Vol. 517 No. 1
190 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to ensure that adequate child care facilities at affordable prices are made available in third level institutions and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9256/00]
The question of providing child care facilities in third level colleges is primarily a matter for each individual third level college. The higher education equality unit published a report, Who Cares in the Campus?, on child care provision in higher education institutions in Ireland in November 1999. The report found that of the 40 institutions which responded to the 1998 all-Ireland survey, 30% provided child care support of some kind. It identifies the different levels of provision currently being made and highlights a number of issues for consideration by the colleges.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's plan to invest over £250 million within the national development plan on the development of a national child care infrastructure.
In relation to steps being taken by my Department, I would point out to the Deputy that my Department's guidelines on the ESF aided student assistance-access fund for third level institutions refer to the possibility of assisting students with family responsibilities, particularly in relation to child care costs, who face significant financial difficulties. As the Deputy may be aware, this fund amounted to £1.296 million in 1999 which represented a significant increase on previous provisions.
