Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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515. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will confirm that funding will continue to be made available in 2014 through Pobal to a preschool (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54028/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The childcare service referred to by the Deputy is participating in thee Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which is implemented by my Department and provides a free pre-school year for children before they commence primary school. Funding will continue to be provided under this programme for qualifying children enrolled in the service under the ECCE programme in 2014.

I understand that the programme the Deputy is referring to is funded by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) under the Community Services Programme (CSP). I understand from the the DSP that the current three year contract of support under that programme is due to expire on 31 December 2013 and that the CSP grant support for the childcare service is to phase out by the end of 2014. I understand that this determination has been communicated to the company and an opportunity made available to the Board to seek a review of the decision. Any future correspondence on this issue should be addressed to the Minister for Social Protection.