The Government is expected to announce the allocation of tens of millions of euro for childcare facilities across the State.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is today publishing a report of the National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee - chaired by his department - on after-school childcare. The report, School Age Childcare in Ireland, also contains "best practice" guidelines for such after-school facilities.
He will also point out that there is funding available, from the €500 million Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 - 2006, for such services. Some €313 million of this has been allocated so far.
Mr McDowell will announce the allocation of tens of millions of euro to encourage parents and community groups to set up after-school childcare services in school buildings. Creches and other childcare services will also benefit.
The report is designed to encourage this concept, highlighted during April's Progressive Democrats' conference, as worth pursuing.
The funding for such services would be disbursed through the existing County Childcare Committees. It can be used for capital spending, for paying staff and other costs.