Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide an adequate staffing grant to a crèche (details supplied) in County Limerick; if he will ensure that this grant is sufficient to meet the needs of the crèche and the staffing levels required under Health Service Executive regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The community-based group in question was approved for a grant of €266,645 over three years, as a contribution towards the staffing costs of the project, in September 2002. The group was subsequently approved for a further grant of €194,100 towards staffing costs for a 27-month period to the end of December 2007. The funding currently allocated to the group is based on €225,000 over three years pro rata and is inclusive of a 15% increase from 1 September 2007.

The reason the second grant allocation is at a lower rate than that originally approved is because the group has not met the projected number of child care places agreed in the contract governing the initial grant.

I understand from inquiries I have made that the group has requested a review of the level of staffing funding allocated to the end of 2007 and that this review is currently in the final stages of the appraisal process. The group will be informed of the outcome in due course and I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this point.

The Deputy may wish to note that the group in question was approved for a €1.2 million capital grant in December 2004 for the construction of a new building and the renovation of its existing premises. Should this work, when completed, result in a material change to the project, it will be open to the group to re-apply for a review of its staffing grant at that time.