Child Care Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

Questions (176)

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

253 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Health and Children the remaining difficulties with a childcare facility (details supplied) in County Westmeath which are preventing this facility receiving much needed finance; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a new committee in place and in charge of this facility and that this is a community facility serving a disadvantaged area; and if she will ensure that in the next round of funding much needed finance will be provided. [22429/07]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Brendan Smith)

As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which are being implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children.

In relation to the Group in question, an interim staffing grant application under the NCIP was recently declined by the Secretary General as the proposal did not demonstrate a strong focus on disadvantage. In addition, there is an outstanding decommittal issue with the previous committee who operated from the same location. The Group have sought a review of this decision, however given the EOCP staffing scheme ends later this year and will be succeeded by the NCIP's Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCIS) on 1st January 2008, it may be that the best interests of the Group would be served by applying under the new scheme. I understand that contact has been made with the Group advising them of this option, and seeking guidance on how they would wish to proceed.

Question No. 254 answered with QuestionNo. 230.