Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of community child care facilities which have received staffing grants under the equal opportunities child care programme since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24057/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP), which is co-funded under the EU Social Fund (ESF), targeted support was provided through the staffing support grant scheme whereby community based not-for-profit child-care providers with a focus on disadvantage were awarded grant aid towards their staffing costs to allow them provide services to families which otherwise would not have been able to afford the full economic cost of the service. The total number of community child-care facilities which have received staffing grants under the EOCP since its inception is 949.