Written answers

Wednesday, 27 October 2010

Department of Health and Children

Preschool Services

8:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if schools participating in the early childhood care and education scheme will be exempt from the payment of local authority rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38568/10]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January 2010.

Whether a child care service is liable for commercial rates under the Valuation Act 2001, is a matter for the Valuation Office under the remit of the Minister for Finance. In July of last year the Valuation Office clarified that certain services participating in the ECCE scheme will be considered exempt from commercial rates. The exemption applies to services which are solely and exclusively used for the provision of educational services which are available to the general public, and where the expenses incurred in providing these services are defrayed wholly or mainly by the State. With the exception of community not for profit child care services which may, on a case by case basis be exempted from commercial rates, child care services which do not meet the conditions of the exemption continue to be liable to commercial rates.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the official working group to look at the services and supports for the allocation of resources for preschool children with special needs will report; if this report will be published; if resources will be provided to implement any recommendations in the report that will have a financial implication; when children with special needs at preschool level can expect a proper service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38572/10]

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a cross sectoral working group was established by the Office for Disability and Mental Health earlier this year to develop and agree a framework for the inclusion of young children with disabilities in mainstream pre-school settings. I am advised that the Group's Report will be completed in November. It will then be circulated to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills for further consideration in the light of available resources and competing priorities for 2011 and subsequent years.

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