Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason an application for grant aid towards the development of a crèche (details supplied) in County Galway has not been successful in view of the fact that the crèche has developed extensively since the original application for grant aid was submitted in 2006; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this crèche has created four new staff positions and 23 new child care places since the first application was submitted, that the crèche facilities are going to be increased by 67% due to the huge demand for child care places, and that from a value for money point of view the project with its revised increased child care places should be eligible for grant aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10790/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Child care Investment Programme 2006 — 2010 (NCIP) which will invest €575 million over 5 years in developing child care services. I understand that the application in question for capital grant funding under the NCIP was not successful as it did not meet the value for money benchmark set under the NCIP. A request for a review of this decision has been received by my Office and has been forwarded to Pobal, which administers the day to day operation of the Programme on behalf of my Office. Following a further assessment, a recommendation will be made by the Programme Appraisal Committee chaired by my Office prior to a decision being made. The applicant will be notified of the decision as soon as possible thereafter. I understand that the applicant in question was previously approved capital funding for this facility of €49,210 under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP).