No decision has yet been taken about premises at Leinster Lane, Dublin, where it is proposed to locate creche facilities serving Leinster House. The Minister of State for Education, Mr Bernard Allen, said consultations about the premises, which are owned by the Office of Public Works, were taking place between the Departments of Education, Finance and the Higher Education Authority.
He was responding in an adjournment debate to Mr Ben Briscoe (FF, Dublin South Central) who said attempts were being made to give deputies a bad name by suggesting that students of the National College of Art and Design at present in the premises would be put out to provide a creche for deputies' children. He was advised by the Oireachtas Women's Committee that deputies did not want a creche, although it might be needed by members of staff.
He urged the Minister for Education to consult the students and not to attempt to move them until premises to accommodate them were available at the college in Thomas Street.
