Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the community based and not for profit child care services in County Westmeath which have received capital grants to date under the EOCP 2000-2006 programme; and the amount awarded to each such project. [14597/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the community based and not for profit child care services in County Westmeath which have received staffing grants; and the amount awarded in each case. [14598/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In 2004 my Department published a comprehensive review of progress under the Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, entitled, Developing Child Care in Ireland, which was circulated to all Members of the Oireachtas and posted on the Department's website. Much of the detailed information sought by the Deputy to the end of 2003 is included in this report.

It is intended in future to update these statistics regularly. The first such update, which will cover the period up to end of 2004, is expected to become available over the coming months and will be posted on the Department's website and circulated to interested parties, including Members of the Oireachtas.

The overall position regarding County Westmeath is that by end April 2005, I have approved 81 grants totalling more than €9.2 million in respect of capital, staffing and quality Improvement projects across the county under the EOCP. It is anticipated that this funding will lead to the creation of 1,108 new child care places and support a further 1,179 existing places. The funding includes: almost €4.5 million in capital grant assistance to 13 community based-not for profit groups; almost €2.6 million in staffing grant assistance to 18 community based-not for profit projects; more than €1.1 million in capital grant assistance to 30 private sector child care projects; and €748,948 to Westmeath county child care committee to enable it to carry out its day to day activities and implement its annual action plans; and funding for a number of other initiatives, including the support of childminders.