To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action has been taken by his Department to clarify departmental responsibility for school age childcare.

Policy responsibility for Early Years including all childcare and its associated staff resources transferred from my Department to the Department of Education in November 2006, with DHSSPS remaining responsible for regulation and inspection of childcare.

Childcare is an issue which cuts across the remit of a number of departments. My Department is a member of the cross-departmental sub group on Poverty, led by OFMDFM, which has been asked to examine childcare provision along with getting an agreed cross-departmental policy in relation to childcare.

My Department is also working with the Department of Education through a joint sub committee on Childcare Provision and Early Years to clarify and establish clear lines of policy responsibility and financial accountability in relation to childcare provision and Early Years between DE and DHSSPS.