Childcare cash cutbacks blow for women students

HUNDREDS of women could be prevented from returning to education and training because of cutbacks in childcare funding for students.

Some of the country's 32 Vocational Education Committees (VECs) have already told students they can no longer offer crèche facilities at colleges. The crisis has arisen because of a 37% cut in the VECs' budget for childcare provision from the Department of Education.

A grants scheme was introduced five years ago to encourage people to take part in the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Youthreach and Traveller Training programmes by offering childcare facilities at colleges and education centres. Last year, 1,338 students benefited from the programme, catering for 1,257 children in full-time childcare and 415 on a part-time basis.