Written Answers. - Child Care Provision.Thursday, 8 February 2001 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
Page of 139
|
121.
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the various child care groups which have received grants under the equal opportunity scheme in the past two to three years in the Dublin north west area; the number of children each group looks after or plans to look after; whether each grant was a capital grant or for staffing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3386/01]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):
My Department operates the equal opportunities childcare programme and has responsibility for £250 million being provided for childcare under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. My Department has also been allocated by the Government a further £26.5 million as part of an additional £40 million package for childcare. The objectives of this funding are to maintain and increase the number of childcare places available, to improve the quality of childcare provision and to ensure the co-ordination of childcare service provision on a local and national basis.
Up to the end of December 2000, over the past three years in the Dublin north west constituency, I have approved funding to 13 childcare groups. The total amount committed by my Department to these groups is almost £1.69 million.
To date under the equal opportunities childcare programme in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, in Dublin north west over 90 new childcare places will be created and the continuance of over 450 existing places will be assured. This funding will also lead to improvements in quality and, in some cases, allow childcare providers extend their opening hours.
The Deputy has requested a list of the childcare groups in Dublin north west which have [433] received grant aid under my Department's equal opportunities childcare programme over the past [434] three years. These details are outlined in Table 1 as follows in respect of the current programme.
Table 1Details of funding prior to the National Development Plan are listed in Table 2 below.
Table 2