Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
206 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the projects approved to date under the various schemes of the equal opportunities child care programme; the level of funding provided for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/04]
View answerThe Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, which is funded by the Exchequer and the European Union, is making available almost €437 million under the national development plan to develop the supply of child care places which will support parents, particularity women, to avail of work, education and training opportunities. An additional amount of some €10 million to €12 million will shortly be made available to the programme following the mid-term review of the national development plan and the regional operational programmes.
I am pleased to announce that over €258 million has been approved under the programme to date. Of this amount, almost €117 million has been approved towards capital projects for community based/not for profit groups and private child care providers. In addition, staffing grants totalling almost €98 million have been approved to community based groups that are providing child care which is supporting disadvantaged parents who are seeking to avail of work, education and training opportunities. A further €43 million has been approved towards quality improvements measures.
The funding approved will, when fully drawn down, lead to the creation of 28,392 new child care places and will support over 26,642 existing places. Much of the remaining funding is required for continuation funding for projects located in areas of significant disadvantage and for the ongoing support of projects and mechanisms which promote quality child care A full list of the projects is being finalised and will be made available to the Deputy in the near future.
