Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the repayment of a capital grant to a person (details supplied) in County Louth who obtained a grant in 2002 to develop a new child care facility and moved to a new premises after four years will be reviewed. [7456/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the national child care investment programme 2006-10 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children, under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

In April 2002, capital grant assistance of €37,026 was approved to the private provider in question under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06. However, this grant was superseded by a subsequent approval for grant assistance of €50,790 towards the building costs of a new child care facility. The second grant approval was made subject to the private provider's agreement to repay the first EOCP grant received. The maximum grant available under the EOCP to any individual private provider is €50,790. I understand from inquiries I have made that the applicant has given her written agreement to voluntarily decommit the first grant.