Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the capital funding and grants available for the development of private child-care facilities in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11333/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 — 2010 (NCIP), which will invest €575 million over 5 years, with €358 million of this in capital grant aid for childcare services.

The NCIP came into effect in January 2006, and 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 Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006 (EOCP) and has a target of creating 50,000 new childcare places, supported by capital grant aid. Services eligible for support include those providing care for babies, full-day care, part-time, sessional playschool and other pre-school places, school age childcare including "wrap around" childcare 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. To comply with the criteria, services, including playschool and other pre-school services, are expected to operate for minimum periods per day. All proposals are expected to demonstrate how they will increase the supply of quality childcare and community-based projects are expected to demonstrate a focus on disadvantage. The maximum capital grants available to private childcare providers under the scheme, for the building or expansion of childcare facilities, are €100,000 per facility (subject to a maximum of 75% of the total cost) and a maximum of €500,000 for multiple services in different catchment areas.

The NCIP also provides capital grant aid to childminders provided they are notified to the Health Service Executive where so required under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006, or are voluntarily notified to their City and County Childcare Committee (CCCs). Funding of up to €5,000 per full-time equivalent childminding place can be applied for to undertake necessary renovative work or to purchase equipment related to the service. In addition, a small Childminding Grant of up to €630 for the purchase of smaller scale equipment is administered directly by the CCCs. This grant was recently reviewed by my Office and I am pleased to advise that it has been increased to a maximum of €1,000. These measures recognise the fact that for many parents childminders continue to be the preferred option for childcare. This is particularly relevant in rural areas where there may be insufficient numbers of children in an area to sustain a centre-based childcare service.

To apply for NCIP funding applicants should contact their local CCC which will provide advice and assistance in the completion of applications.