Child Care Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 February 2010

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Questions (132)

Sean Fleming

Question:

265 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children the payments made to date and the payment yet to be made by her Department to a child care group in respect of a new child care facility (details supplied) in County Laois; if she is satisfied that all funds paid to date have been used in respect of the child care facility; if outstanding grant payments will be used for this purpose; if she is further satisfied with the financial arrangements regarding the provision of the new child care facility paid for by a grant from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6687/10]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

I have responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Invention Programme 2005-2010 (NCIP), under which capital grant funding is made available to community and commercial child care providers for the development of child care facilities. I understand that the company in question was approved capital grant funding under the NCIP of up to €1 million in March 2007, to develop a child care facility and that the facility in question is at an advanced stage. I also understand from Pobal, who assist my Office in administering the NCIP, that €910,494 of the capital grant has been paid to the company to date and all reporting requirements in relation to eligible expenditure under the NCIP have been complied with.