Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If I do not have the information to hand I will forward it to the Deputy as early as possible. I refer to my initial response to Deputy Troy who seeks more capital investment and more money. He will be aware that between 2008 and 2011 his own party in government cut €384 million or 60% from the child care budget. It is a bit rich for him to come to the House and bemoan the lack of capital investment, having regard to the fact we all know capital investment and money across a range of Departments has been in very limited supply. Nevertheless, significant administrative work is under way by Pobal, on behalf of the Department, to implement the current programme. More than 200 applications currently require assessment. When work is completed later this year, we will review the position. I hope to be in a position then to announce a follow-on scheme which would be open to a broader range of providers. A commitment has never been given to undertake all strands of capital child care schemes every year or at the same time.

See this speech in context