Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason child care fees in his Department's crèche in Athlone were increased; his views on whether it is acceptable, in view of Government policy, for a 30% increase in fees for children over 12 months old and a 20% increase for those under 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43462/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Interim Board of the Civil Service Childcare Agency (the Board), which is the body responsible for licensing the operators who run the Civil Service crèches, decided at its meeting on 20 September 2006 to increase the weekly fees at the Athlone Civil Service crèche from 127 Euro to 150 Euro for babies and from 100 Euro to 130 Euro for children over 1 year of age with effect from 1 January 2007. These increased fees compare favourably with fees charged by private crèches in County Westmeath as per the National Children's Nurseries Association which quotes a maximum fee of 160 Euro per week for children and 176 Euro per week for babies in County Westmeath.

Fees at the Athlone Civil Service crèche have not been increased since October 2005. The Board, in deciding to increase the fees took into account the increasing costs being incurred by all the Civil Service crèches, in particular wage costs which represent the biggest cost to operators. The fee increases will ensure that the salaries paid to staff are in line with levels generally applying in the field and that the crèches will continue to be in a position to attract high calibre staff. In addition the fee increases will ensure that standards of child care are maintained at the highest level and that the crèches will be operating on a sound financial basis into the future.

In line with the regulations governing childcare services, the Board is committed to ensuring that all staff in Civil Service crèches are properly qualified, receive ongoing training and are paid accordingly. The regulations have recently been reviewed and the revised regulations will come into effect on 1st January 2007. These new regulations will place a greater emphasis on staff training with a view to enhancing the quality of childcare provision and the Civil Service crèches must be in a position to comply with these regulations. The Board has also decided that the same fee levels will apply from January 2007 for the Sligo and Ennis Civil Service crèches in order to standardise the fee levels and implementation dates across the three crèches. I can assure the deputy that the Board is totally committed to ensuring the highest standards and the best possible care for the children in Civil Service crèches.