Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the provision of childcare facilities at a location (details supplied). [20652/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department does not directly provide childcare services - 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.

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, they did not receive a viable proposal for the creation of a childcare service at that time.

However, my Department has approved the terms of a procurement process that Longford CCC will oversee over the coming months concerning the provision of childcare facilities in this location. It is my understanding that advertisements seeking tenders in respect of this process have already been placed in a number of local newspapers. Funding to assist a childcare provider in this area remains available pending the outcome of the procurement process.