Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

John McGuinness

Question:

173 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received an application for a staffing grant under the child care proposals from a centre (details supplied) in Clogh, County Kilkenny; and, if so, when a decision will be made in the case. [22428/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

An application for a staffing grant for community based or not-for-profit group or groups under my Department's equal opportunities childcare programme 2000 to 2006 was received from Clogh Family Resource Centre on 2 October 2000.

Applications will be assessed initially, on behalf of my Department, by Area Development Management Limited followed by an assessment by the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme Appraisal Committee chaired by my Department. This application for funding was forwarded to area development management on 5 October for the initial assessment, which may involve site visits or meetings.

The assessment criteria include the extent to which the project will increase the number of childcare places in disadvantaged areas, the quality and financial sustainability of the proposal as well as the capacity of the service provider to implement the project.

As the application for the Clogh Family Resource Centre is currently going through the assessment process, it would be premature of me to comment further on the application at this stage. However, once the appraisal process has been completed, I will issue a decision shortly thereafter and I will be in contact with the Deputy.