Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008
301 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of public and private places that have been created to date in relation to the national development plan’s social inclusion priority for the creation of an additional 50,000 child care places by 2010, of which approximately 22,000 will be in the private sector and 28,000 in the community and voluntary sector. [32350/08]
View answerThe NCIP has a funding allocation of €575 million and aims to create an additional 50,000 new child care places. It is expected that approximately 22,000 of these places will be in the private sector and 28,000 in the community/not for profit sector. NCIP grant approvals to end of August 2008 are expected to lead to over 13,400 places in community-based/not for profit facilities and a further 16,300 places in private facilities.
302 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a capital grant application from a crèche (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if so, her views on this application; when she expects to make a decision on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32351/08]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which will invest €575 million over 5 years, with €358 million of this in capital grant aid for child care services. I understand that the service in question has applied for €977,822 in capital funding through its local County Childcare Committee. This application has been assessed by Pobal, which is engaged to administer grants under the NCIP. Following Pobal's assessment of the application it was forwarded to the Childcare Directorate of my Office for final appraisal. The service will be notified of the decision in due course.
303 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the grant assistance available for individuals seeking to provide montessori places or other preschool initiatives for children with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32365/08]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware Childcare developments are currently funded under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010. This Government is committed to enhancing access to pre-school services for children with special needs. Under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004, service providers must make reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability — this provision applies to the accommodation of children with special needs by child care providers. Furthermore, the ‘Diversity and Equality Guidelines for Childcare Providers' published by the Office of the Minister for Children in December 2006 underpins the Government's commitment to integration and equality for all. However, I regret that there is no specific provision under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 to provide additional supports for children with disabilities.
Under the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 for the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with funding to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's. The management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.
