School-Age Childcare in Ireland

Minister Launches School Age Childcare Report

June 2005 saw the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell, T. D. launch 'School Age Childcare in Ireland‘ , a report of a Working Group of the National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee. The report makes a number of recommendations for the development of School Age Childcare to support the childcare needs of parents.

The Report recommends the use of school premises, where appropriate, as a location to develop a quality school age childcare service. It also lays down guidelines for the delivery of a quality school age childcare service. The Minister commented that he hoped that the publication of the Report and its guidelines will spark local interest in the opportunities which exist to build school age childcare facilities. The Minister announced that he was making funding available to the City and County Childcare Committees to enable them to publicise the Report locally and to identify school management authorities who might be interested in developing a service to complement and link with their school.

The Minister said "We are constantly striving to develop innovation in the field of childcare. I hope the practical recommendations contained in this report, together with the funding I am making available through the City and County Childcare Committees, will encourage communities to explore the possibilities of after-school childcare."