I propose to answer Questions Nos. 501 and 513 together.
An application for funding under fund for the development of targeted responses to children at risk was received from the Ballybeg Community Education Project in 2001. This fund is overseen by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Hanafin. The purpose of this fund is to develop preventative and supportive programmes that are targeted at children and young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage and social exclusion.
In assessing applications, consideration was given to Department supported interventions already in place in the areas concerned so as to avoid duplication of effort and resources. In this regard, my Department is providing support for an eight to 15 early school leaver project, ESLI, in the Ballybeg area. It was considered that there was a substantial overlap between the aims, objectives, the target group identified and the services provided under both the ESLI project and the Ballybeg Community Education Project. It was therefore decided it would be preferable to fund these projects on a joint basis. Accordingly, both projects have been requested to come together to develop a joint proposal for consideration by my Department. I have arranged for a co-ordinator to work with both groups to assist them in developing a single holistic plan that addresses the educational needs of the children at risk in the Ballybeg area. A proposal has not been received to date.