How South Dublin County Childcare Committee was established

In 2000 the National Development Plan allocated funding to the development of childcare with the specific aim of improving the quality, increasing childcare provision and places by introducing a more coordinated approach. As a result thirty three Childcare Committees were formed, each with an agreed set of outcomes for the various county/area.

The South Dublin County Childcare Committee (SDCCC) was established in 2002 to coordinate the delivery of quality childcare (childbirth – 14 years) in South Dublin County. The SDCCC structure reflects a partnership approach with the statutory agencies operating in the area along with the community sector and the private sector represented.

Childcare Policy in Ireland has been supported since 2000 by the introduction of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) (2000-2006) and its successor programme the National Childcare Investment Programme (2006-2010). The Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) is part of the Department of Health and Children. The role of the OMCYA, which was set up by the Government in December 2005, is to improve the lives of children under the National Children’s Strategy and bring greater coherence to policy-making for children.