Written answers

Thursday, 1 April 2010

Department of Health and Children

Child Care Services

4:00 am

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the need for a grant allocation to improve the child care facilities at the old national school at Ballygar, County Galway; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that this is the only creche in Ballygar and of the ever increasing population in this area and of the very large Traveller population in this area; if funding will be made available as a matter of urgency to improve this facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14397/10]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) which is a multi-annual programme to improve the availability and quality of childcare options, primarily through capital grant-aiding the construction and refurbishment of childcare facilities and the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which provides current support grants for community services.

The initial capital allocation to the programme was €358 million over 5 years. However, due to the economic downturn, the capital grant programme was closed to new applicants in 2009. I understand that Ballygar Community Playgroup Ltd., which had applied for capital grant funding of €1.2 million, was advised that this was the case in April 2009. I understand that the company appealed this decision and was advised in December 2009 that it was not possible to uphold their appeal.

During 2010, existing NCIP capital grant commitments amounting to €30 million will continue to be met. A smaller scale capital grant programme, designed to maintain the existing childcare infrastructure, is expected to be introduced in 2011 and I would hope to announce details of this programme later this year.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the private agencies contracted by the Health Service Executive to provide residential child care services to the HSE; the money awarded to each of these services and providers each year for the past five years; the number of children cared for per year, per provider, during this time; the registered name of each company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14408/10]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I regret that due to industrial action I am not in a position to provide a substantive response to your Parliamentary Question. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

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