Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will require all local authorities to adopt a local authority childcare policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25885/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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National policy in relation to childcare is the responsibility of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Within this context local authorities are involved in promoting childcare at local level through a range of policies and activities. County/City Childcare committees operate under the auspices of the local government-led County/City Development Boards to support a co-ordinated and integrated approach to childcare in their area. Local authorities are represented on these committees. Multi-Agency Children Services Committees are currently being piloted in 4 local authorities and a further number of local authorities have applied to establish Children Services Committees within their area. The aim of these committees is to test models of best practice which promote integrated locally led strategic planning for child services across agencies.

In relation to planning, local authorities have been required since 2001 to provide for crèche facilities in new residential developments. This requirement has been further reinforced by more recent and updated statutory guidelines.

I am satisfied that local authorities are contributing to the development and implementation of childcare policies in their areas. Finally, I might also add that guidelines for the protection of children were developed in 2008 and provided to local authorities by the Local Government Management Services Board.