Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of providing 50,000 new childcare places by 2010. [12393/07]

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.

The NCIP came into effect from 1 January 2006, with an allocation of €575 million for the 5 year period of 2006 to 2010. The NCIP is a key element of the National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010, the aim of which is to deliver a more comprehensive approach to early years care and education. Unlike the EOCP, the NCIP is completely Exchequer funded. The NCIP is designed to deliver 50,000 additional childcare places, with a greater focus on pre-school places for 3 to 4 year olds and school age childcare. Childcare places are provided either through community based/not for profit childcare groups or by private providers.

Of the €575 million total budget for the NCIP, some €357 million is earmarked for capital investment and to provide for the cost of meeting the programme's target of 50,000 additional childcare places. Capital grant applications under the NCIP are assessed under a number of criteria; chiefly the nature and extent of the need locally for the service proposed, the applicant's capacity to deliver the project proposed and value for money. All proposals are expected to demonstrate how they will increase the supply of quality childcare, and furthermore, community projects are expected to have a focus on disadvantage.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the funding sought by a service (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason this funding has not been provided since it was applied for in November 2006; if it will be provided; if it will be established that €60,000 and not €49,000 is required to sustain the crèche as a viable concern; if the remaining funding will be made available in order that the fees from the disadvantaged parents will not have to be raised for a second time in 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12960/07]

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.

With regard to the application for staffing grant assistance under the EOCP referred to in the question, I understand that this Group were approved an additional staffing grant of €49,375 in December 2006. This brought their staffing grant funding for the period of 15 months, October 2006 to December 2007, up to the maximum level of staffing funding allowed under EOCP, which is €172,500 per annum. To date, this Group has been approved a total of €920,219 in staffing grant assistance. I also understand that this Group recently made an application for capital grant assistance under the NCIP. This application is currently being assessed by Pobal, who I understand will be in contact with the Group shortly in this regard.