James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason promised capital grant funding of €744,000 to a group (details supplied) for new childcare facilities is no longer available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16621/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006 - 2010 is implemented by my Office with the assistance of Pobal, who manage the day to day operation of the programme.

As the Deputy may be aware, the finalisation of the latest portfolio of capital grant applications, under the NCIP, was delayed pending the introduction of the recent Supplementary Budget. Following decisions in the budget the capital allocation now available for 2009/2010 will meet existing capital grant commitments but will not be sufficient to allow for the approval of any additional grant applications. It is therefore not possible to approve the capital grant application for the group referred to by the Deputy at this time. A letter issued to the group on the 21st April advising them of this outcome.