A further 50 grants to childcare providers were approved today by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
It brings the total amount of grant assistance available to both private- and community-based childcare providers to €6,915,861.
The latest funding allocation, which is part of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 - 2006, gives private childcare providers €359,952 while community based groups are to receive €5,312,909 for capital developments and €1,088,000 towards staffing costs.
When these projects are completed over 650 new childcare places will be created.
- The Department of Justice has overall responsibility for the formulation and implementation of childcare policy under the National Development Plan.
