David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Finance the Department responsible for the administration and payment of the early child care supplement which was introduced in budget 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39921/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The administration and payment of the early child care supplement, which I announced in budget 2006, will be carried out on an agency basis by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The first payment, covering the second quarter of 2006, will be made in mid-2006.

In order to bring greater coherence to the sector, the Government has decided to establish an office of the Minister for children, under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, which will be responsible for child care, together with other aspects of policy for children generally.