Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has proposals to introduce a national system of affordable child care, in view of the current disincentive that exists for working parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37265/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has brought in a number of measures, both on the supply side and the demand side, to deal with the growing demand for childcare, which has been created by the economic and social changes which have taken place over the last decade. These measures are aimed at supporting all parents with the cost of childcare and increasing the supply of quality childcare places.

The primary supply side measure of the Government's approach to ensuring the provision of affordable childcare has been to stimulate the provision of quality childcare places, through the provision of grants for the childcare sector. This is being done through the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006 and the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010. These programmes, with a combined budget of almost €1.1 billion, are projected to create over 90,000 childcare places, with some 31,750 of the new places already in place. These places are provided either through community based/not for profit childcare groups or by private providers. Of the total funding committed in the period from the start of the EOCP to August 2006, over €484 million has been allocated to childcare facilities, of which almost €183 million has been allocated to staffing grant assistance. This provides support towards the staffing costs of employing childcare workers in community based childcare centres in disadvantaged areas, ensuring that less advantaged parents in those areas have increased access to quality childcare and that they are charged fees which are less than the economic cost of providing the service. A further €67 million has been allocated to quality improvement in the childcare sector.

On the demand side, Government policy to support parents with the cost of childcare has been to increase Child Benefit payments and introduce the Early Childcare Supplement (ECS). Both instruments support all parents irrespective of income or employment status. Child Benefit has been increased in successive budgets and in Budget 2006, it was increased by €8.40 per month for the first two children to €150 per month; and by €7.70 per month for the third and subsequent children to €185 per month. This means that over the period since 1997, Child Benefit has more than quadrupled.

The ECS of €1,000 per annum was introduced for all children less than 6 years of age and became effective in April 2006. This is a direct, non-taxable payment of €250 per quarter year, in respect of each eligible child. There have already been two payments of the ECS in August and October and the final payment of €250 will be paid on 11th December. From 2007 the payments will be made in April, July, October and December. Taken together, these two payments give a family with 2 children under the age of 6 years a total of €5,600 per annum.

The levels of increase in Child Benefit and the introduction of the ECS is unprecedented and delivers on the Government's objective of providing support for children generally while offering real choice to all parents in relation to the care of their children. I am satisfied that the EOCP and NCIP will serve to moderate prices in the sector over time by increasing the supply of places and giving parents greater choice.

This Government's record in providing enhanced childcare supports is without parallel and I am confident that we are moving rapidly to ensure that there are quality services available to parents throughout the country.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the funding allocated to a club (detail supplied) in County Sligo is increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37112/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which are being implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children.

I understand from inquiries I have made that the Group in question has submitted a request for a review of the decision on their application for further staffing grant assistance under the EOCP. This request was forwarded to Pobal, which is engaged to carry out detailed assessments of all applications under the EOCP.

Following the review of the application, a recommendation will be made to the Programme Appraisal Committee, prior to a decision being made by the Secretary General of this Department.

The group in question will be informed of the outcome of the assessment in due course.