On 5 November the group submitted an application for staffing grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme 2000-2006. It was forwarded immediately to Area Development Management Limited. The company carries out a thorough assessment of each project proposal on behalf of my Department. On completion of the assessment process, the application will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, that makes funding recommendations to me.
Support towards staffing costs under the programme is only available to community based child care projects that meet its criteria, show that they are addressing disadvantage and support the child care needs of disadvantaged parents who are in employment, education or training. In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on the application for staffing grant assistance.