Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

(iii) identifying and addressing manpower and physical infrastructure issues; and
(iv) identifying options for the medium to long-term funding of care provision.
The outcome of commitments of previous National Programmes and the work of various associated
Committees, Government Departments, Agencies and Statutory Bodies have contributed in varying
degrees to this approach.
Development of this work will continue under this Agreement through a range of agreed actions
in relation to the target groups as follows:
2.6.1 Childcare
As part of the broader strategy for development of childcare provision:
■ Each County Childcare Committee will identify local need for childcare, establish annual targets
and assist in the development of childcare services in each county, to meet identified need;
■ The current National Childcare Strategy will be augmented by the development of a further
stream to achieve the objective of making childcare affordable for working parents in low-paid
employment by increasing the provision of good quality childcare: this will be in addition to the
continuation of existing measures and supports;
■ FÁS will continue to ring-fence childcare places under Community Employment schemes (CE); and
■ FÁS will continue to implement traineeships in childcare at both work-ready and higher levels.
The Family Support Agency will develop and promote its information remit, in particular:
■ information for parents focusing on the importance of parenting and good parenting practice; and
■ information to assist persons in balancing their work and family life.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs will review the contribution being made by the
Department’s income support system to people reconciling work and family life; and
The Department of Social and Family Affairs, in consultation with relevant interests, will prepare a
national programme focussing specifically on the development of family policy and supports to mark
the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
2.6.2 Care of People with Disabilities
■ The Department of Health and Children will carry out a strategic review of existing service
provision, in consultation with relevant interests, with a view to enhancing health and personal
social services to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
■ The development of Standards of Service in respect of people with disabilities, which is underway
by the National Disability Authority, will be completed. Pilot implementation of these standards
will commence as soon as possible in parallel with a consultative process involving the social
partners.
■ The Government will, within six months, complete a review of the waiting lists for residential care
for people with disabilities. The review will inform further work under this initiative.
Chapter 2 Special Initiatives
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