Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of funding allocated under the equal opportunities child care programme from 2000 to 2005; and the amount of funding for projects allocated to child care providers in County Meath, Cork city and county and Tipperary in the same period. [11223/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Over €448.5 million has been allocated to child care providers under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 over the period 2000 — 2005. This funding is expected to lead to the creation of some 41,000 new child care places and support over 32,000 existing places. In respect of counties Meath, Cork and Tipperary, funding of €15.4 million, €50.1 million and €19.5 million was allocated respectively during the same period.

In 2005 my Department circulated to Deputies a comprehensive update of progress to end of 2004 under the EOCP entitled "Developing Childcare In Ireland". An update covering the period up to the end of 2005 will be available shortly. Responsibility for the EOCP and the new national child care investment programme 2006 — 2010 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new Office of the Minister for Children under the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.