Vol. 540 No. 2
88 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the need for support to help mothers return to work or to FÁS training courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20397/01]
It is estimated that there are currently 300,000 women working in the home. Government policy has sought a number of ways to make it attractive for women to take up or return to paid work. Since 1997 some 200,000 additional women have taken up jobs.
A major area where support is required is in the area of child care. The Government is committed under the national development plan to meeting the diverse needs of parents and children, including key target groups, through supporting the development of childcare services that are accessible and of high quality. In October 2000, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced details of a new Government package worth £40 million, over and above the £250 million allocated under the national development plan, to expand the number of child care places available throughout the country. In the first six months of 2001, the Government allocated funding for 13,843 child care places of which 5,883 are new.
In order to support mothers wishing to return to work who need to make provision for child care in order to avail of FÁS training, £3.9 million pounds has been set aside this year in order to pay a contribution towards child care costs of £50 per week per child. FÁS will be evaluating this initiative at the end of the current year to ensure that it is meeting the needs of primary child carers who wish to take up training opportunities.
