Grants totalling over £3.8 million were today allocated to the Equal Opportunities Programme.
The Minister for Justice Equality and Law reform, Mr John O'Donoghue said the government is to commit £344 million over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.
Today's announcement of further grant approval brings the total allocation to over £49 million since the childcare measures were first introduced in April 2000.
Forty-eight applications for funding are being supported under today's announcement. Included this month are grants for out of school projects. This arises out of the recent transfer of funding from the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs to the Department of Justice.
With the centralisation of the funding there is now a "one stop shop" for all childcare funding, according to Mr O'Donoghue.
The grants will support 1,050 existing childcare facilities and will also lead to the establishment of 414 additional childcare places.
Those who are interested in the grant schemes or considering a business venture in childcare can get copies of a government guide - "Childcare Funding in Ireland" by calling the Equal Opportunities Childcare Section of the Department of Justice at Lo-call 1890 20 90 30.