John McGuinness
Question:492 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision can be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and the timeframe involved. [7678/02]
Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, my Department has been assigned the lead role in the development and co-ordination of child care service provision over the course of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Funding for the programme comes from both the EU and the Exchequer.
With regard to the particular application referred to by the Deputy, I have been informed by the child care directorate of My Department that an application was received on 14 February. It will now be subject to the normal assessment and appraisal process. It usually takes about three months before I make a final decision regarding funding of a project.
I am sure that the Deputy will understand that it would be premature of me to comment any further on this particular application. In accordance with the general guidelines for funding under the equal opportunities child care programme, expenditure incurred prior to approval being granted will not be eligible for grant aid.
John McGuinness
Question:493 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if funding of ?15,000 will be made available to a playschool (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if there is another funding source which could be of assistance. [7679/02]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, my Department has been assigned the lead role in the development and co-ordination of child care service provision over the course of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Funding for the programme comes from the EU and the Exchequer. Therefore, it is subject to all of the European regulations regarding grant aid.
With regard to the particular playschool referred to by the Deputy, I have been informed by the child care directorate of my Department that funding of €50,790, or £40,000, was approved in March 2001, towards the construction of a new child care facility under the capital grant scheme for private child care providers. The maximum value of the grant available under this scheme is set at 65% of the project costs, subject to an over all ceiling of €50,790 or £40,000 for each project. The project has already reached this limit. Therefore, it is not possible to increase the grant assistance to individual projects under this scheme.
The Deputy may not be aware that the Government introduced a capital tax allowance for premises used as child care facilities in budget 1999. This allows capital expenditure incurred to be written off against tax liabilities over a seven year period. An accelerated version of this scheme was introduced in budget 2000. This allows for such expenditure to be written off against tax liabilities in a one year period. Further information on this scheme is available from the Revenue Commissioners.