Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the funding crisis that exists within a project (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the consequences for pre-school children with a disability or special needs if this pre-school service has to be withdrawn from the most vulnerable children in society due to lack of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25169/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Paistí le Cheile project to which the Deputy refers was a pilot project in County Roscommon funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform under the Enhancing Disabilities Services Programme. While I understand that this funding has now ceased, I must advise the Deputy that my Office is not in a position to provide funding to accommodate this project under the current provisions of the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) which is implemented by my Office.

The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs provides funding on an annual basis to support activities set out in the Action Plans of the 33 City and County Childcare Committees. The total funding provided to the 33 City and County Childcare Committees in 2008 amounts to €13.3 million and represents an increase of more than 7% on the overall funding for the previous year. This includes €295,360 in funding approved for Roscommon County Childcare Committee, which is one of the highest allocations per capita in the country.