Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received the report on the provision of a crèche facility at the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24833/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of workplace childcare has been addressed in recent National Wage Agreements under the Social Partnership heading. As the Deputy is aware, the Government is fully supportive of measures to improve childcare facilities.

A crèche however must be viable if it is to succeed. There must be sufficient demand and it must be capable of meeting ongoing running costs.

The Defence Forces Partnership Steering Group Report assesses the viability of a workplace childcare facility in the Curragh Camp for members of the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence.

The key issues covered in the Report were the demand for a crèche and the capital and current costs for developing and running a crèche. The Steering Group were not asked to make a recommendation as to whether the project should proceed.

The results of a staff survey undertaken as part of the Report indicate that there is likely to be a demand for a crèche in the Curragh. The capital cost of developing a 50-place facility in the Curragh was estimated as being in the region of €2.1 million. The likely running costs were not established as they would depend on the actual level of uptake.

This issue has been under consideration for some time. However, and notwithstanding the merit in the proposal, the obligation to review and control every aspect of public expenditure mean that a new project of this nature is not feasible at this time.