Dan Neville
Question:289 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if grant aid will be made available for a community child care facility (details supplied) in County Limerick. [28162/03]
Written Answers. - Child Care Facilities.
A grant application for capital grant assistance from the 2000-2006 equal opportunities child care programme was received from this community based group in November 2002.
All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process against the programme criteria by Area Development Management Limited. Large-scale projects, such as this capital development, undergo an intensive appraisal by an external building consultant. I have made inquiries and have been informed that this application is in the final stages of the appraisal process.
There has been considerable demand from community-based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme. Every county has benefitted from significant grant commitments to provide new and enhanced community-based child care facilities.
All applications for capital grant assistance are appraised in accordance with the programme criteria to ensure that those projects that best meet its aims and objectives receive grant assistance. The funding will enable them to provide quality child care in areas where there are service deficits. It would be premature of me to comment further on specific applications for capital grant assistance at this time.