Gerry Reynolds
Question:494 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when two community playgroups (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive funding for the improvement of facilities and equipment. [17052/01]
Vol. 537 No. 5
494 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when two community playgroups (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive funding for the improvement of facilities and equipment. [17052/01]
As the Deputy may be aware, a capital and staffing grant scheme for community based-not for profit groups is part of the Government child care funding initiatives administered under my Department's Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme, 2000 to 2006. Under the capital grant scheme, works of a capital nature would be eligible for consideration, including, for example, renovations, building work and child care equipment costs. Under the staffing grant scheme, salary costs for child care staff working directly with children would be eligible for consideration.
To date, no application for funding under the capital grant for the community-based-not for profit groups scheme from the community groups in question has been received by my Department's equal opportunities child care section.
Applications for funding towards staffing costs were received on 20 November 2000 from the first group in question and on 15 November 2000 from the second group. I understand from my officials that both of these applications were forwarded for technical assessment to Area Development Management Limited in November 2000. To date, this application has not been submitted to me for consideration.