Child Care Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004

Tuesday, 17 February 2004

Ceisteanna (426)

John Cregan

Ceist:

512 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding replacement funding for a child care facility (details supplied) which had its funding severely reduced by social welfare estimates decisions announced in November 2003; the source from which replacement funding will come; the length of time her Department award crèche supplements for existing children; if the Department of Health and Children is arranging payments directly or through its agencies for new children placed in same by NAHB personnel. [5026/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

As advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 16 December 2003 the Northern Area Health Board agreed to examine the financial support it provides to the crèche in question following the decision to discontinue, with effect from 1 January 2004, payment of crèche supplements under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The board has advised that a formal application has been submitted to the Eastern Regional Health Authority seeking additional funding for those crèches it currently supports and the board is awaiting a response from the authority.

In the meantime, as an exceptional measure, health boards may continue to pay existing crèche supplements while arrangements for alternative funding are being finalised.