Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the arrangements his Department makes for direct provision or funding of childcare for civil servants in his Department; the average daily and weekly cost per child of such services as subsidised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are no childcare facilities specifically for the children of civil servants in my Department. The Office of Public Works acts as agent for my Department in developing crèches around the country for the children of civil servants as part of an initiative by the Government to improve childcare provision and increase the number of childcare places available in Ireland. The Interim Board of the Civil Service Childcare Agency (the Board) manages the Initiative. Operators are appointed by the Board following a tendering process. These operators must manage the crèches on a commercial basis.

At present there are six crèches in operation under this Initiative — providing around 170 full-time childcare places. The crèches are located in Mount Street and Marlborough Street in Dublin and in Ennis, Athlone, Sligo and Backweston, Celbridge.

Building work commenced on 16th April 2007 on a 135 place crèche at Mahon in Cork. It is expected that this crèche will be completed early next year and open for business in September 2008.

As of 1st January 2008, fees in the Dublin area will be babies €189 per week, toddlers €179 per week and Montessori €163 per week. Fees outside Dublin will be babies €160 per week and toddlers €140 per week. Other rates used by the crèches such as a daily rate etc, are calculated on a pro rata basis. The Civil Service Childcare Initiative introduced in 2001 is currently undergoing a Value for Money and Policy Review which is due for completion early 2008.