Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
421 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans under consideration with regard to development of the child care facilities at a centre (details supplied) as part of the direct provision programme to address the needs of the 100 pre-school children who have no pre-school service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31067/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2003 a crèche-pre school facility was established at the centre in question by the Daughters of Charity, the North Eastern Health Board and the proprietor. The facility caters for three groups of children: a baby group, which is aimed at infants between one and two years of age; a toddler group, which is aimed at children between two and three years of age; and a pre-school, which is aimed at children above three years of age.
The facility provides services for 109 children. Two sessions operate from Monday to Thursday, while a morning session operates on a Friday. Each child enrolled is entitled to three sessions per week. In September a new room was opened and two additional staff were recruited to cater for the baby group and there are now six members of staff and a manager providing the crèche-pre school service. In addition to the crèche-pre school facility, a homework club is provided for children of primary school age. The club operates between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and caters for children from the age of six to 12 years. At present, 61 children are enrolled in the club which has 16 staff members who consist, in the main, of volunteers.
The Reception and Integration Agency, which is responsible for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to asylum seekers, reviews the services provided at all centres on an ongoing basis with a view to improving them where possible and the further improvement of services at the centre in question will be considered in that context.
