The Government is to fund the creation of a series of local childcare strategy groups across the State to assist in the establishment of creches and pre-school facilities.
"If someone wants to set up a creche in their own home, their local group will encourage them and give them all the advice they need," the Minister of State for Health, Mr Frank Fahey, said.
The groups will begin operations next year as part of a joint venture by the Departments of Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The groups aim to help meet the growing demand for childcare facilities by co-ordinating information about legal issues and grant aid.
Mr Fahey said an information booklet would cover areas such as childcare training courses, planning permission, tax/PRSI and quality of practice.
The strategy groups would also work with FAS and the VECs to provide trained childcare staff, he said.