Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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643. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason not-for-profit community child care centres are not permitted to apply for Leader funding under the current rural development programme; her plans to include community child care centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13521/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Funding under the LEADER Programme is targeted at innovative approaches to addressing the needs of rural areas as identified in the Local Development Strategies prepared for each sub-regional area. The funding can be provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. It is important, however, to ensure that the available funding is targeted at policy areas where it can provide the greatest added value and avoid duplication.

Provision for community childcare is currently available through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the local County Childcare Committees. It is not, therefore, proposed to extend the LEADER Programme to include the provision of childcare facilities at present.