Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 306: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of new childcare places created as part of the National Childcare Strategy 2006; the amount spent on the creation of new childcare places under this scheme in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8732/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. The NCIP is an essential part of the broader National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010, also under my remit, which aims to further develop the childcare infrastructure to meet the needs of children and their parents for quality early childhood care. Other measures under the Strategy include improved Maternity and Adoptive Leave, the new Early Childcare Supplement and a new programme of educational opportunities for children and adults in areas of disadvantage.

Under the NCIP, some €575 million has been allocated over 5 years, with a target to create 50,000 additional childcare places and with a greater focus on pre-school places for 3 to 4 year olds and school age childcare. Applications under the NCIP began being processed in April 2006. To date, 1190 places have been created under the programme and €2.7m has been reported as drawn down by grant recipients.

While the present programme's predecessor, the EOCP, is no longer accepting new applications, funding allocated to the creation of childcare facilities under the EOCP continues to be drawn down. At end of December 2006, some 34,000 childcare places had been created under the EOCP and an additional 25,000 existing places were funded. On the basis of approvals made under the Programme, it is estimated that a further 6,000 places will be created by the Programme, making the final total for new places created some 40,000.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 307: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of childcare places created in disadvantaged areas as part of the National Childcare Strategy in 2006; the moneys allocated to the creation of new childcare places in disadvantaged areas under this scheme in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8733/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. The NCIP is an essential part of the broader National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010, also under my remit, which aims to further develop the childcare infrastructure to meet the needs of children and their parents for quality early childhood care. Other measures under the Strategy include improved Maternity and Adoptive Leave, the new Early Childcare Supplement and a new programme of educational opportunities for children and adults in areas of disadvantage.

Under the NCIP, some €575 million has been allocated over 5 years, with a target to create 50,000 additional childcare places and with a greater focus on pre-school places for 3 to 4 year olds and school age childcare. Applications under the NCIP began being processed in April 2006. In relation to disadvantaged areas, 100 new childcare places have been created in CLÁR areas and 374 new childcare have been created in RAPID areas, representing almost 40% of all places created under the new Programme to date. The information sought by the Deputy concerning the allocation of NCIP funds to RAPID and CLÁR areas is currently being compiled and will be conveyed to the Deputy in due course.

While the present programme's predecessor, the EOCP, is no longer accepting new applications, the funding committed to date under the EOCP includes the provision of almost €108.2 million towards childcare services operating in RAPID/ CLÁR areas specially designated for urban/rural regeneration. In excess of 20% of beneficiaries under the Programme are now from designated RAPID and approximately 11% are from CLAR designated areas. A total of 9,552 new childcare places, of which 3,549 are full time and 6,003 are part time, were created in RAPID/CLAR designated areas to end June 2006. In addition 164 new facilities were built and 531 facilities upgraded in designated areas over the same period. There are 1,163 childcare staff receiving support, of which 492 are full time and 671 are part time, under the Programme in services located RAPID/ CLÁR designated areas.