Vol. 563 No. 4
540 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for funding for the new family resource centre at Listowel, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7735/03]
A capital grant application was received from the group on 21 March 2002. All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process to ensure they meet the objectives of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006. Also, as is the case with all large-scale capital applications, projects are referred, by Area Development Management Limited, which undertakes this work on behalf of my Department, for an external evaluation by a building specialist. This evaluation identified some possible problems with the project as presented, leading to a suggestion that it revise its plans and project design.
The revised plans will be re-assessed by the building specialist and ADM Limited, before being appraised by the programme appraisal committee, which is chaired by my Department. When the process is completed, I will then be in a position to make a decision on the application. This group has already been awarded staffing grants of €190,461 in September 2000 and €108,467 in June 2001 for its existing child care services, bringing the total amount to €298,928 over three years.
