Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

John McGuinness

Question:

313 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is in receipt of an application from Newpark Close resource centre, County Kilkenny for funding for after-school care projects; when a decision is likely in the case; and if that decision can be expedited in view of the urgency of the case. [6858/01]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, schemes for capital and staffing grants for community or not for profit groups are part of the Government child care funding initiatives administered under my Department's equal opportunities child care programme 2000 to 2006 which was announced on 28 April 2000.

A completed application form for a staffing grant for a playgroup was received in the equal opportunities childcare section of my Department on 19 February 2001 from the Newpark Close resource centre. I have been informed by my Department's equal opportunities childcare section that the application was forwarded to Area Development Management Limited on 19 February 2001. A technical assessment of this application will be carried out by ADM Limited prior to referral to the programme appraisal committee. Once the assessment and appraisal process is complete, I will make a decision shortly thereafter. In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on the staffing application for the playgroup.

I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, that an application for funding was made by Newpark Close resource centre in September 2000 under the out of school hours scheme operated by that Department. This application for staffing costs was considered by the out of school hours assess ment group and in November 2000 the centre was advised that their application had not been recommended for funding. The centre was notified of a number of issues that should be addressed if the centre were considering re-applying for out of school hours funding.

An application was resubmitted to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in December 2000. The centre was advised by that Department in January 2001 that the administration procedures for the grant scheme for 2001 had not been decided and that the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs did not have a timescale for the assessment of this new application for funding.

To support a more integrated and co-ordinated approach to childcare service provision, arrangements are being finalised for the transfer of responsibility of certain childcare grant schemes, including the out of school hours scheme, to my Department. Once these arrangements have been completed, my Department will be in contact with all groups who have made an application to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs under this scheme.