Vol. 527 No. 4
167 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received an application to appoint two employees for three years at a pre-school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when they will be notified of the outcome of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/00]
The Deputy is referring to a staffing grant scheme for community-not for profit group(s) which is one of a number of Government child care funding initiatives administered under my Department's equal opportunities child care programme. Child care has been highlighted as a priority area for investment in the national development plan with £250 million being allocated under my Department's equal opportunities child care programme 2000 to 2006 to support the provision of child care in the voluntary, community and private sectors over the next seven years.
With regard to the child care facility in question, an application for a staffing grant under my Department's equal opportunities child care programme 2000 to 2006 was received by my Department's equal opportunities child care section on 3 October 2000.
A technical assessment on this application was carried out, on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, by Area Development Management Limited and I understand that the matter was considered by the programme appraisal committee at its latest meeting. I am awaiting the recommendations of the appraisal committee and I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the matter in the coming days.
