Government officials are developing new standards for childcare workers as part of an initiative to improve the quality of care in creches and playschools.
Minister for Children Brian Lenihan said his office was working on the standards which would be used in the training of an estimated 17,000 childcare workers who are due to be employed in the sector over the next five years.
A Government investment programme announced in the last Budget will see the creation of 50,000 additional childcare places, including 5,000 after-school places and 10,000 pre-school places aimed at three-to-four-year-olds by 2010. The new programme will cost the State €575 million.
Mr Lenihan said the standards would link in with other groups such as Fás, national voluntary childcare organisations and the Centre for Early Childhood Development Education.
"This will require careful planning and incremental development over the next five years, as well as close co-operation between the training agencies and providers and direct linkages with the Department of Education and Science," Mr Lenihan said.
Speaking at the All-Dublin Childminders' conference on the weekend, Mr Lenihan said work was also under way to develop childminding services. Childminding advisory officers were operating throughout the country to provide support for people minding children in their own homes.
City and county childcare committees were also helping to provide advice and training to childminders through a free 10-hour course designed to promote awareness of quality childcare.
A new €10,000 tax exemption for childminders who care for up to three children is also expected to lead to greater activity in the sector.
Childminders who wish to avail of the exemption must notify their local city or county childcare committee before applying to the Revenue Commissioners.
The new childcare places being funded by the Government, meanwhile, will be delivered through city and county childcare committees.
Mr Lenihan said these committees will identify local childcare needs and work closely with planning authorities in ensuring sufficient childcare facilities are provided in new residential developments.
"This will involve building closer links between infrastructural development and the planning regulations under the Department of the Environment.," Mr Lenihan said.
