Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
22 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of the 28,400 child care places being set up under the equal opportunities child care programme which are available on a full time basis; the number which provide part time or drop in child care services; and the amount of the overall €256 million budget for this programme which is spent on supporting child care services in disadvantaged areas. [18130/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 has an equal opportunities and social inclusion perspective and facilitates the further development and expansion of child care facilities to address the needs of parents, particularly women, in reconciling their child care needs with their participation in employment, training and education. The programme provides capital grant assistance to create and enhance new and existing child care facilities and staffing grant assistance to community based-not for profit organisations whose child care services have a strong focus on the support of the child care needs of disadvantaged families, wishing to avail of employment, training or education.
The total amount of funding available under the programme exceeds €449 million. To date over € 261 million has been committed to child care projects in both the community based sector and to private providers. This funding will, when fully drawn down, lead to the creation of approximately 29,000 new child care places and will support over 27,142 existing child care places. Of the funding committed to date almost €119 million has been approved towards capital projects, with a further €99 million towards staffing grant assistance. The €99 million staffing grant is targeted solely at disadvantaged areas and families.
The funding committed to date includes the provision of over €44.3 million to child care services operating in RAPID areas, which are specially designated for urban regeneration. In addition, over €23.2 million has been approved for projects located in CLÁR areas, which are specially designated for rural regeneration.
Of the 29,000 new child care places receiving support under the programme it is estimated that over 11,400 are provided on a full-time basis and 17,567 places on a part time basis. A further 27,142 existing places are receiving support under the programme, of which 5,825 places are on a full time basis and over 21,000 are on a part time basis.
