Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

140 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in providing promised funding for the Irish Pre-school Playgroups Association national resource centre; his views on whether this delay is leading to increased costs and uncertainty as to the future of the child care organisations which will be accommodated in the new building; if he will take immediate steps to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11323/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Pre-school Playgroups Association was in contact with my Department in 1999 in relation to funding for the refurbishment of the IPPA's new premises in Walkinstown. At that stage, the director of services at the IPPA was advised that my Department's budget allocation for capital grants for the period 1998 and 1999 under the equal opportunities child care programme was fully committed and that future development under the programme would have to await this year's budget and beyond. The IPPA was advised that its proposal was noted for further consideration in the event that additional moneys were made available to my Department.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was allocated £250 million to operate a number of funding measures under the equal opportunities child care programme, 2000-06. The funding will be aimed, in the context of the national development plan, at increasing the quantity of child care places and improving the quality of child care services. This grant aid will include support to national voluntary child care organisations, such as the Irish Pre-school Playgroups Association, to enhance their services to their members.

The funding sought by the IPPA towards the development of its national resource centre will be considered in this context and will be subject to the appraisal process being established under the programme. I understand however that the IPPA is currently revising its proposal for the premises. When its revised proposals have been submitted to the Department, they will be assessed in the context of the supports for the national voluntary child care organisations under the equal opportunities child care programme.