Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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609. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of city and county child care committees in existence; the budget for each one of these; the way these committees differ in function from Pobal regarding administration of funds from his Department for child care purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas. They comprise local representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, childcare providers and parents. There are now 31 CCCs, as Limerick City and Limerick County CCs have amalgamated, as have Waterford City and Waterford County CCs.

City and County Childcare Committees offer a wide variety of services locally including; advice on setting up a childcare business; childcare information sessions; training courses for those considering a career in childcare; and advice and support on applying for childcare programmes. City and County Childcare Committees also offer services to parents, such as providing information on local childcare facilities and information on parent networks.

The role of the CCCs was expanded under the National Childcare Investment Programme to enable greater flexibility and responsiveness to local needs, and they had a key role in the development of local childcare infrastructure, quality standards and training and information. More recently, CCCs have been increasingly dedicated to locally managing administrative processes associated with the national childcare support programmes (the Community Childcare Subvention programme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme and the Training and Employment Childcare programmes). They also provide advice and support regarding the performance and sustainability of childcare services in their respective areas.

The CCCs work collaboratively and collectively with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Pobal and the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to achieve this.There is ongoing review of programmes to ensure effectiveness and that there is no duplication. Pobal's primary function is the provision of technical administrative support in respect of programme delivery nationally while the CCCs focus on more local level issues. The very strong data management role that Pobal plays is a key factor in the Department's ability to review and assess programmes effectiveness, efficiency and value for money.

Each CCC receives annual funding from my Department and details of the allocations for 2015 are shown in the attached table.

City/County Childcare Committee Allocations 2015

*Limerick City Childcare Committee and Limerick County Childcare Committee have merged

*Waterford City Childcare Committee and Waterford County Childcare Committee have merged