Deputy Mayor Derek Keating officially launches the new offices of the South Dublin County Childcare

Deputy Mayor Derek Keating officially launches the new offices of the South Dublin County Childcare Committee in Clondalkin Civic Centre on Wednesday 18^th June at 5.30.

Overthe course of the past year, the South Dublin County Childcare Committee has been at the forefront of helping Providers in the creation of additional childcare places, in addition to seeing that the quality within our new and existing crches is always increasing with a target of being a leader in excellence.

The Strategic Plan for the Committee, launched in the Council office last August by then Minister for Children Brendan Smith, clearly outlined the goals for the Committee. In addition, the South Dublin County Childcare Committees strategy outlines the use of much needed resources and support for childcare centres, home based carers, parent and toddler groups and pre and post school care. The National Childcare Strategy, managed by the Ministers Office, aims to develop childcare infrastructure to meet the needs of children and their families in South Dublin County which has a population of just less than one quarter of a million residents with a large portion of that population under the age of twenty-five.

South Dublin County also has unique priorities in the area of childcare. For example, the October 2006 report Supporting Employers/Supporting Childcare, commissioned by the County Childcare Committees, identified that expected growth in female participation in the labour force by 2011 will result in a 27% increase in the number of children requiring childcare, an increase of 39,000 to meet demand.

The South Dublin County Childcare Committee aims to implement a number of objectives to achieve their vision for childcare in the county. Promoting quality & affordability; disseminating best practice & innovative models of delivery and supporting the citywide infrastructure are some of the key objectives which were welcomed by Deputy Mayor Derek Keating. He added, There is a need to coordinate and develop quality childcare services in South Dublin County and a need to provide excellent, accessible and affordable childcare for all children and their families in the county.

Mayor Derek Keating wished the South Dublin County Childcare Committee every success in their new offices in the Civic Centre Clondalkin for the coming years.

Issued on 24^TH June 2008

South Dublin County Council.