Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

377 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if contacts have been made with the Institute of Technology, Tallaght, Dublin 24, regarding the need for a properly funded cre±che at same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12690/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

A capital grant application was received from the group on 26 April 2002. All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process to ensure they meet the objectives of the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-06. Also, as is the case with all largescale capital applications, projects are referred by Area Development Management Limited, who undertake this work on behalf of my Department, for an external evaluation by a building specialist. This evaluation identified some possible problems with the project as presented, leading to a suggestion that they revise their original plans and project costings.

The revised plans and costings will be re-assessed by the building specialist and ADM Limited. On completion of this process, the assessment will be referred to the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, for a recommendation before I make a decision on the application. In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on this capital grant application.

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

378 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the supports he has provided for child care facilities over the past year in the Tallaght, Dublin 24 area; if his attention has been drawn to the huge potential in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12691/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As the Deputy is aware, the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06 is providing almost €437 million of Exchequer and EU funding for the development of child care services. The programme aims to increase the supply of group child care places by 50% by programme end.

To end of April 2003, €189.9 million was allocated to more than 1,600 child care services on a national level. It is estimated that the grants to child care providers and community groups will create 23,120 new child care places and will also support over 23,098 existing places. The Department's records show that the total funding committed to the Tallaght, Dublin 24 area, over the past year, is € 3,068,211. This may be understated as it is not always possible to determine the geographical location of projects with precision. This total funding committed includes: Four capital grant applications for community based/not-for-profit groups have been approved and a total of € 2,245,591 has been committed; one capital grant application for private provider has been approved and over €22,000 committed; four staffing grant applications for community based/not-for-profit have been approved and €740,000 has been committed; and national voluntary child care organisations were approved funding of €50,000 to support the development of child care facilities and enhance the quality of child care provision. The Deputy will be interested to hear that our records show that over €8 million has been committed to the Tallaght area since the equal opportunities childcare programme began in 2000. There is still funding available for good projects which meet the programme's aims and would encourage more groups in the Tallaght and Dublin 24 area, who are interested in setting up or developing a child care service, to contact my Department or the South Dublin County Child care Committee.