§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the child care or nursery facilities within his Department and what is the breakdown in their use(a) by grade and (b) by gender. [15238]
§ Sir John WheelerThe current policy is that Departments can contribute to staff child care costs where this is justified on value for money grounds. The following facilities are currently available.
Department Facility Environment Introduced a Nursery Subsidy Scheme in May 1994. Thirty places were made available where the Department met 35 per cent. of the costs for children attending a registered nursery. The scheme is greatly over-subscribed and places were allocated by means of a ballot. A review is due in May 1995. Finance and Personnel No child care or nursery facilities at present but, offer membership of the NI Childminding Association"s "Parent Partnership Scheme" for staff applying for maternity/paternity leave. Agriculture An emergency childcare pilot scheme, which involved reserving a small number of places in private nurseries, commenced 30 January 1995 for a 3 month trial period. Staff are required to pay for this facility. Northern Ireland Office (HCS) A 50 per cent. subsidy on four places provided at a private day nursery in Westminster. (NICS) Nil. The Departments of Education, Health and Social Services and Economic Development offer no child care or nursery facilities.
Department Facility Child Support Agency On 1 September 1993 the CSA introduced a scheme to offer financial assistance to staff with child care costs. The assistance takes the form of a subsidy towards the cost of an employee placing a child in a nursery of the parents choice. 794W
The breakdown of these schemes by grade and gender is listed in the following table: Number Grade Higher Executive Officer 3 Executive Officer 1 Social Security Officer 2 1 Social Security Officer 1 1 Superintendent Typist 1 Typist 1 Personal Secretary 2
The breakdown of these schemes by grade and gender is listed in the following table: Number Administrative Assistant 1 Administrative Officer 19 Executive Officer 2 19 Executive Officer 1 2 Staff Officer 1 Deputy Principal Officer 1 Senior Professional Technical Officer 3 Higher Professional Technical Officer 5 Professional Technical Officer 2 Senior Audit Assistant 1 Higher Scientific Officer 1 Gender Male 17 Female 38 The Northern Ireland civil service also financially assists eight holiday playschemes which cater for the children of staff during school holidays. A breakdown in their use by grade and gender could be provided only at disproportionate costs. However, approximately 290 children per day attended in 1994.