Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she met with a delegation (details supplied) from County Mayo recently; if so, the location at which the meeting took place; the persons she met with; and if funding will be provided to this group. [10069/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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 other Groups such as that referred to by the Deputy, which have been declined staffing grant funding under the EOCP as a result of being unable to meet the contractual deadlines of that Programme, 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. Officials in my office will be in contact with the Group in due course to inform them of the outcome of that review.

In the course of my official engagements I would have contact with various individuals and groups. I was introduced to two representatives of the Group in question by Cllr Frank Chambers in Dublin. Representations on behalf of this Group have been received and are being given attention by officials in my Office.