Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

On a per capita basis, this is one of the highest allocations in the country. Many child care services throughout Roscommon have benefited from grant assistance under both programmes. To date, funding of more than €10 million has been approved for child care in Roscommon under both child care programmes. Funding provided under the EOCP supported the provision of 579 new child care places and also supported 376 existing places in the county up until the end of 2007.

The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-06 was central to the development of child care in Ireland. The Government expects that the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-10 will be equally effective. The substantial investment provided under these programmes demonstrates the Government's commitment to the ongoing development of child care.

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