Vol. 538 No. 2
93 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department offers capital grants to voluntary organisations to construct family, resource and child care facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17585/01]
Capital funding has been allocated under the national development plan to the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to develop the necessary infrastructure across all care programmes, including child welfare and protection services and other family support services. The health boards, in developing their programmes, work closely with relevant voluntary organisations to ensure the proper use of the resources made available.
The Deputy may also be aware that under the equal opportunities child care programme my colleague, Deputy O'Donoghue, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, makes capital grants available to private providers and community/non-profit-making organisations for the establishment, renovation or upgrading of child care facilities. The objective of the funding is to increase the number of child care facilities and child care places and to improve the quality of services available.
Each health board is in a position to provide the Deputy with whatever information he requires. I have asked the chief executive officer of each board and the ERHA to advise him directly in this regard.
