Vol. 547 No. 1
959 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a grant under the equal opportunities child care programme as agreed in December 2001 (details supplied) will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1879/02]
As the Deputy may be aware, capital grant schemes for self-employed child care providers are part of the Government's child care funding initiatives administered under my Department's Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 to 2006.
In December 2001 I approved a capital grant of 50,790, IR£40,000, to the person concerned under my Department's equal opportunities child care programme. The next step involves the completion of a contract, which is administered on my Department's behalf by Area Development Management Limited.
I have made inquiries with ADM Limited and have been informed that a pre-contract letter, outlining some pre-contract conditions such as supply of bank account details, details of matching funding as required under EU regulations, confirmation of planning permission, issued to the applicant on 18 December 2001. I understand from ADM Limited that while some of the pre-contract conditions have been met, there are still some issues that require clarification. I understand that once these issues are satisfactorily clarified, the contract will issue for the applicant's signature. Once the completed contract is received by ADM Limited, the drawdown of funding may commence.
