Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the €9 million and I have seen the progress to which it has given rise. I am still not convinced, however, that it is enough. I am still not convinced it is hitting the targeted area completely. How do these figures match up with the Department's growth projections with demands in the sector within the next ten years? This is the second time I have spoken about Mountbellew Community Childcare Centre. If those who run the centre were to add on an extra room, the cost would be approximately €170,000. However, the maximum grant for which they can apply is €50,000. That centre is turning people away. Mountbellew is a feeder town for Athlone, Galway and Ballinasloe. The centre has a capacity issue and we need to see if there is another strand for exceptional circumstances where we could support childcare infrastructure and capacity.

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