HL Deb 01 April 1982 vol 428 cc1567-8WA
Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will indicate:—

  1. (i) the total numbers of controlled and voluntary nursery education places provided in each of the five education and library board areas in Northern Ireland, in each of the years 1979 to 1982; and the estimated places for 1983;
  2. (ii) the total numbers of family day care centres operating in each of the four Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland, in each of the years 1979 to 1982; and the total number planned to be available in 1983;
  3. (iii) the total numbers of premises registered, and the places provided, for childminding, also the numbers of registered childminders in each of the four Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland, in each of the years 1979 to 1982; and the estimated numbers to be available in 1983;
  4. (iv) the total numbers of playgroups operating, and the places provided in each of the four Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland, in each of the years 1979 to 1982, and the estimated number of playgroups and places to be available in 1983.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)

The information requested is as follows:

1. Nursery places, by education and library board, at January each year:

Belfast Western North-Eastern South-Eastern Southern Total
1979 Controlled 1,325 225 775 500 725 3,550
Voluntary 365 25 150 50 350 940
1980 Controlled 1,400 525 825 500 800 4,050
Voluntary 425 25 150 50 350 1,000
1981 Controlled 1,500 600 925 550 925 4,500
Voluntary 525 75 150 150 350 1,250
1982 Controlled 1,500 625 925 600 950 4,600
Voluntary 525 75 200 150 350 1,300
1983 Controlled 1,500 625 925 600 950 4,600
(estimated) Voluntary 525 75 200 200 400 1,400

2. The total number of family day care centres operating or proposed is:

1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
Northern Board 1 1 1 1 1
Southern Board Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Eastern Board 3 5 6 6 7
Western Board Nil 2 2 2 2
Total 4 8 9 9 10

3. The total numbers of registered premises and childminders and places provided are:

1979 1980 1981
Premises/Child-minders Places Provided Premises/Child-minders Places Provided Premises/Child-minders Places Provided
Northern Board 453 752 493 840 567 925
Southern Board 202 442 258 509 313 599
Eastern Board 302 615 435 895 562 1,257
Western Board 112 211 146 200 179 278
Total 1,069 2,020 1,332 2,444 1,621 3,059

It is not possible to estimate figures for 1982 and 1983.

4. The total numbers of playgroups operating and places provided are:

1979 1980 1981
Playgroups Places Provided Playgroups Places Provided Playgroups Places Provided
Northern Board 65 1,524 81 1,856 88 1,999
Southern Board 30 642 32 666 34 729
Eastern Board 146 3,932 158 4,313 175 4,438
Western Board 51 1,523 55 1,590 59 1,460
Total 292 7,621 326 8,425 356 8,626

It is not possible to estimate figures for 1982 or 1983.

In addition private day nurseries and playbuses provided facilities for 1,205 children in 1979, 1,356 children in 1980 and 1,315 children in 1981.