It is open to community based not for profit groups to apply for capital and staffing grants under the equal opportunities child care programme, 2000 to 2006, which is operated by my Department. EU and Exchequer funding comprising £344 million has been allocated to my Department over the course of the national development plan between 2000 and 2006 to improve child care provision and quality throughout the country. The objectives of this funding are to increase the availability of child care places, to improve the quality of child care provision and to ensure the co-ordination of child care service provision on a local and national basis. This funding has an equal opportunities and social inclusion perspective and focuses on provision of child care to allow parents, particularly women, to avail of training, education or employment.