Child Care

HC Deb 04 March 1999 vol 326 cc890-1W

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on after-school child care places and activities. [72032]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

Guidance to the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships in each local authority area in Wales was issued last month. The Partnerships are now preparing plans for the development of child care provision to meet the needs of their areas, including new out of school child care, which may be eligible for funding from the New Opportunities Fund.

The New Opportunities Fund has allocated £14.3 million over the next three years for out of school child care in Wales, of which £1.3 million is to support integrated child care and education projects. In 1999–2000, the Training and Enterprise Councils in Wales will have funding of £0.9 million to provide infrastructure support (including training, business support and information) for out of school child care provision eligible for NOF funding.

In addition funding of £1.5 million will be available in 1999–2000 for the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships to take forward the development of child care provision, including out of school provision, in their areas.

The New Opportunities Fund has allocated £11.7 million specifically for out of school learning activities in Wales over the next three years. Funding is targeted at disadvantaged areas and NOF plan that provision is available in at least one quarter of primary schools and a half of secondary schools and special schools.

Following the transfer of functions, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.