Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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27. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding funding for a location (details supplied). [37914/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department does not directly provide childcare - rather we administer a number of schemes and initiatives to support accessible, affordable and high quality childcare. These schemes are available to regulated childcare providers which include individuals, companies and community/not-for-profit groups.

The organisation Pobal, and 30 City and County Childcare Committees around the country, are funded by my Department to assist in the administration of our schemes and initiatives and to support providers, both private and community/not-for-profit services. Following the closure of the existing childcare provider in this location, I requested that Pobal and Longford County Childcare Committee (CCC) work with local bodies and potential partners in relation to the re-establishment of a service for the local community.

Unfortunately, we did not receive a viable proposal for the creation of a childcare service at that time. However, my Department is currently in discussions with Longford CCC with the aim of progressing a procurement process to secure a suitable operator for a childcare service in this area. Funding to assist a childcare provider remains available pending the outcome of this procurement process.