Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 474: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing parents of young children who are attending VTOS courses; if she intends to pay for these students during their holiday periods; her views on whether this needs addressing (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36796/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 475: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the customer service statement of Mayo Vocational Educational Committee, it is stated that it will identify and work to eliminate barriers to access to services for persons experiencing poverty and social exclusion, and for those facing geographic barriers to services; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that these persons are facing difficulties due to the lack of holiday pay on these courses; her views on whether this needs to be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36797/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.

In order to encourage parents to go back to further education, my Department provides funding for VECs to assist towards the child care expenses of participants in certain further education programmes, including the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS. The administration of these grants is a matter for individual VECs. The disbursement of the grants is a matter for each VEC.

The funds provide for: direct provision of crèche facilities in centres or in rented premises, including staff, equipment and-or refurbishment, rental, insurance and other overheads; the purchase of places in existing community or commercial crèches — this is subject to payment of a maximum of €63.50 per week per child for a full-day session, with pro rata adjustments for sessions of lesser duration; the payment of childminders, subject to a maximum of €63.50 per child per week for a full session, with pro rata adjustments for part-time sessions.

The grant is intended as a contribution to costs. VECs determine the level of child care provision and have the discretion to bridge any gap between the Department's grant and actual costs they approve.

As the purpose of the grant is to facilitate the attendance on the further education courses in question of persons for whom they were designed but who are constrained by child care responsibilities, the grant would be expected to cover only the period of attendance of a parent on a course. Arrangements governing payment terms in crèches are a matter between the parent and the crèche.