Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:506 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding available from his Department for either capital or current purposes for SKIP (details supplied). [8152/02]
Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, my Department has been assigned the lead role in the development and co-ordination of childcare service provision over the course of the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. My Department operates the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, the funding for which comes from both the European Union and the Exchequer. The Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme 2000-2006 funds childcare under three main strands, capital, staffing and quality improvement. Applications for funding under the programme can be made to my Department's child care directorate. Completed applications are initially technically appraised, on behalf of my Department, by Area Development Management Limited. This is followed by an assessment by the Programme Appraisal Committee chaired by my Department before referral to me for final decision.
Under the programme, child care is defined as:
incorporating day care facilities and services for pre-school children and school going children out of school hours. It includes services offering care, education and socialisation opportunities for children to the benefit of children, parents, employers and the wider community. Thus services such as Naíonraí, daycare services, crèches, playgroups, childminding and after-school groups are included but schools (primary, secondary and special) and residential centres for children are excluded.
In general, the focus of the funding under the programme is towards increasing the number of childcare facilities and places, improving the quality of childcare provision and enabling parents to access training, education or employment. Services which would be described as an intervention with a primary focus of health, education or social issues would not normally come within the remit of the programme. However, in the event that this group considers that they are providing a childcare service as defined under the programme, it is open to them to apply for grant assistance. Applications which meet the programme objectives are assessed according to the following five criteria: the socio economic profile of the area relating to the application; the quality of the proposal; the capacity of the applicant/s to implement the project; the level of integration-co-ordination; and the costings-value for money of the proposal.
The progress of my Department's equal opportunities child care programme is confirmation of the Government's commitment to developing childcare supply in Ireland. Since the announcement of the availability of funding in April 2000, I have committed funding in excess of €95 million to over 1,000 child care projects on the ground, both in the community and private sector, under the capital and staffing strands of the programme. Almost 30,000 child care places are being supported by this funding which includes the creation of over 13,000 new child care places. The funding will also enable many of the services to extend their hours of operation and enhance the quality of the child care provided. In addition, I have approved funding of approximately €15 million for quality improvement projects such as local child care networks, innovative projects, local child care training models, the Childminders Initiative and supports for the national voluntary childcare organisations. This brings the total amount allocated under the equal opportunities childcare programme to over €111 million to date.
The measures in place reaffirm this Government's commitment to keeping child care at the forefront of its social agenda and show that the Government is delivering on its commitment to treat childcare as a priority area for investment. I am satisfied that my Department is making this vital investment in an effective and strategic manner and that the equal opportunities child care programme of my Department is making a real difference to the families of Ireland. The strategies I have outlined, including both the funding measures and co-ordinating structures build on existing structures and will be further developed over the course of the national development plan.