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Child Care Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (793, 794)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

797 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the negative impact of the cumulative budget cuts over the past number of years, along with the additional reduction of 5% for the current year, on a residential child care service (details supplied) which will mean closing the service for between 39 and 52 days during 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26515/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

798 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application under the childcare capital funding programme in respect of a creche and montessori (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26527/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I secured €6m capital funding in Budget 2012 to fund a maintenance programme for childcare facilities. The funding will provide for urgent and essential repairs to childcare facilities to ensure that they are in a position to remain open and continue to provide the three childcare programmes implemented by my Department.

The maximum grant available to individual services under the programme is €50,000 (including VAT).

Pobal is administering the capital programme on behalf of my Department, and I understand that the appraisal process in now complete. In appraising applications, particular consideration and priority has been given to:

Applications that were accompanied by a Health Service Executive pre-school inspection report supporting the need for the proposed works in terms of compliance with the Pre-School Regulations;

Applications that best demonstrated the need for the proposed works in terms, for example, of quality improvement to the childcare service;

Services previously funded under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, or the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010;

Services located in or servicing areas of disadvantage;

The service's previous record in relation to adherence to contractual obligations under previous capital and current funding programmes.

I understand that Pobal has contacted Members of the Oireachtas with a view to providing an update on the outcome of the appraisal process. Furthermore a relevant contact point on the Pobal website, to which current and future queries should be directed, has also been provided.

Question No. 799 answered with Question No. 790.
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