Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 28 February 2007, when the review of this application will take place taking into account that there are presently only 14 weeks left until the end of the current school term, that there are a group of children who will have to attend national school without any preschool interaction or education, that this group did not apply for a capital grant and that their building is ready; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8985/07]

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. As I outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 28 February 2007, officials in the Childcare Directorate of my Office will be in contact shortly with a number of Groups, including the Group referred to by the Deputy, to advise them further in regard to their applications for staffing grant funding.

Where certain circumstances apply, including where an application is linked to a previous EOCP capital grant, applications for staffing grant assistance are continuing to be considered under the EOCP and, subject to the outcome of the review in each case, the applicants will be advised of the position as soon as possible. In the case of Groups which have been refused staffing grant funding under the EOCP and whose applications were not linked to a previous EOCP capital grant, the review of their applications for staffing grant funding will be undertaken as soon as the details of the new NCIP staffing grant scheme are announced. In each case, the review will be undertaken as quickly as possible to facilitate the Group concerned.