Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the grant aid awarded to a facility (details supplied) in County Limerick. [18501/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 Group in question has been approved €18,623 in capital grant assistance under the EOCP to date. They have also been approved a total of €215,865 in staffing grant assistance under the EOCP, including €80,700 for the period to 31 December 2007. The Group requested a review of their current level of staffing grant support and this was undertaken by Pobal, who administer the grants on behalf of the Office of the Minister for Children. Following this review, the Group's request was considered by the Programme Appraisal Committee (PAC), which did not recommend additional funding for the Group, as their current level staffing grant is deemed appropriate for the level of service being provided. The Secretary General of the Department concurred with the PAC's recommendation and his decision had been communicated to the Group by the Childcare Directorate of my Office.