§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what subsidy is provided for(a) nursery places and (b) holiday play schemes; if he will list the organisations used by his Department for child care; and if child care vouchers are made available to staff. [30021]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesMy Department is a partner in a public sector consortium which provides a 60 place nursery for staff. The Consortium covers the cost of rent, rates and utility charges which currently amounts to approximately £700 per place per annum. An Easter and summer play scheme is supported by a financial contribution of some £100 per place per annum. Parents using these child care schemes are required to make a contribution towards the costs which mainly cover the management costs involved in running and staffing the schemes.
The Nursery is managed on behalf of the Consortium by Cardiff City Council under contract. The play scheme is an open scheme run by SPICE for Cardiff City Council and the Department contracts for places on the scheme.
Child care vouchers are not made available to staff.
My Department considers the provision of child care arrangements as important to the promotion of equality of opportunity for all staff.