Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the grants available from her Department for the setting up of crèches or playschools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29400/07]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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 the EOCP concludes on 31 December 2007, no further capital or staffing grants will be made available under it. The NCIP came into effect from 1 January 2006, with an allocation of €575 million for the five-year period between 2006 and 2010. This programme aims to provide a proactive response to the development of quality childcare supports and services, which are grounded in an understanding of local needs. It is building on the success of the EOCP and incorporates among its key objectives increasing the supply and improving the quality of early childhood care and education services. Services eligible for support include those providing care for babies, full-day care, part-time, sessional playschool and other pre-school places, school age child care including "wrap around" child care places, and childminding. Special consideration is given to supporting services which provide a range of these services.

Eligibility for capital grant funding under the NCIP is 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 child care and community-based projects are expected to demonstrate a focus on disadvantage. The maximum capital grants available under the scheme for the building or expansion of childcare facilities are €1.2 million per facility for community-based not for profit providers and €100,000 per facility for private providers, subject to a maximum of 75% of the total cost, and a maximum of €500,000 for multiple services in different catchment areas. In addition, a small grant scheme is available for Parent and Toddler Groups.

Following a review of the operation of the Programme to date, and in the context of the Value for Money Review of the EOCP, revised guidelines for the assessment of capital applications were introduced in April this year. These include provision for grant funding of up to €5,000 per additional place for short-time sessional playgroups and similar services which do not meet the minimum operating periods required under the main grant schemes. Subject to the programme criteria, grant aid is also available to assist in the renovation and equipment of existing services, including playschools. To apply for NCIP funding applicants should contact their local City or County Childcare Committee which will provide advice and assistance in the completion of applications. Staffing funding under the EOCP will be succeeded by the new Community Childcare Subvention Scheme under the NCIP from 2008. This scheme has been allocated €153 million over the next three years, representing a 16% increase in funding over the EOCP staffing scheme. Under the new scheme, community not-for profit services will be grant aided according to the service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. In turn, the subvention received by the services will be reflected in the reduced fees for parents who qualify as disadvantaged under the scheme.

Transitional arrangements have been made under which existing grant recipients under the EOCP staffing scheme will continue to be funded at their current levels until 1 July 2008. This is to ensure that existing child care services are facilitated to adjust to the new scheme, including making any adjustments necessary to their fee structures. As signalled when I announced the new scheme in July this year, the transitional period between now and 1 July 2008 will also be used to monitor and review the impact it will have on individual groups, on the basis of the more detailed and comprehensive data which is currently being received from applicants. If appropriate, any adjustments necessary to secure the best outcomes for child care services and for disadvantaged parents and their children will be considered on the basis of this data, well in advance of the commencement of the new funding levels in July 2008.