Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Question No. 123 of 30 October 2008, the proposed level of funding for 2009 as advised to each group in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim; the corresponding figure for each group for 2007 and 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45283/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) was introduced by my office in January 2008, under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 — 2010. Community-based child care services which, immediately prior to the introduction of the CCSS, were supported under the staffing grant scheme implemented under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, were invited to participate in the CCSS. Services in this category can also avail of the transitional arrangements of the CCSS under which they are guaranteed minimum funding levels based on their Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme grant amount in 2007. As a result, services received at least 95% of their previous funding level in 2008, they will receive at least 85% of that amount in 2009 and they will receive at least 75% of that amount in 2010. Where a service qualifies for an increased funding level under the CCSS, the higher grant payment is made. Given the high number of services now participating in the CCSS, the amount of CCSS funding which each service will qualify for in 2009 will not be determined until January 2009. As a result, to avoid any disruption to services it has been decided to set their level of grant aid for the first quarter of 2009 at the amount for which they qualified in the final quarter of 2008. Any necessary upward or downward adjustment to payments will be made in the second quarterly payment in April 2009.