David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extra functions that child care committees will have to fulfil following the announcement of the Government's new child care package especially with regard to child minders in the home who wish to avail of the €10,000 income disregard; the procedures in place or to be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11326/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 — 2010 is being implemented by the newly established office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children, OMC, under my auspices. This programme builds on the success of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006, EOCP, which will conclude in 2007. The new programme aims to provide a proactive response to the development of quality child care supports and services which are grounded in an understanding of local child care needs.

The city and county child care committees, CCCs, which were established at city and county level under the EOCP, will play a major role under the new, more proactive programme. New arrangements supported by additional resources are being put in place to facilitate this process, including those necessary to enable the CCCs to facilitate the initial developmental stage of grant applications at local level.

The tax exemption, which is being introduced for childminders minding up to three children in the childminder's own home and where their annual income from childminding does not exceed €10,000, will be subject to a requirement to notify the local CCC before applying to the Revenue Commissioners for the exemption. Childminders who notify their CCCs in this way will be accommodated within the voluntary notification system for childminders which is already operated by the CCCs and the Health Service Executive. This system is available to childminders who are not legally required to give notice of their services under the Child Care Act 1991.

The voluntary notification system benefits childminders by providing them with access to a range of supports, including information, networking and training through the CCCs and the local childminder advisory officers. It is intended that childminders who notify their service in the context of availing of the tax exemption will also benefit from these supports.