Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a play-school (details supplied) in Dublin 1, which is expecting funding from Pobal in December 2009, is in immediate danger of losing two staff and closing if a shortfall of €12,000 is not received by June 2009; and if she will provide this funding to ensure this community service can continue. [20139/09]

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 Subvention Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010 to provide funding to community not for profit childcare groups to enable them to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families.

I understand from enquiries I have made that, while the playschool in question has not been funded by my Office to date under the CCSS, it has applied to enter the scheme from January 2010. I also understand that applications to enter the CCSS are due to be considered in the coming months and it is expected that applicants will be informed of the outcome by the end of the summer. As the CCSS does not allow for retrospective payment of grant aid, I regret to advise the Deputy that my Office is not in a position to assist the playschool with its funding shortfall in 2009.