Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
503 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the contacts he has had with the Institute of Technology in Tallaght regarding the need for the development of crèche facilities at this institution; if his attention has been drawn to the anxiety of the college’s Student Union to see progress in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8833/04]
View answerThe day to day administration of the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 is undertaken by Area Development Management Limited, which has been engaged by my Department to carry-out thorough assessments of all applications for grant assistance under the programme on my behalf. All large-scale capital projects are referred by ADM Limited, to an independent external building specialist to assess the suitability of the proposal and its value for money. I am aware that there has been significant ongoing dialogue between the group, ADM Limited, and the external building specialist with regard to this application. I understand that the initial proposal from the group required revision to take account of the issues raised by the external building specialist. I also understand that ADM Limited is currently awaiting a final report from the building specialist. On completion of the assessment process this application will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, which will make a funding recommendation to me before I make a final decision on the matter. I would advise the Deputy that there has been considerable demand from community based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited from significant grant commitments to provide new and enhanced community based child care facilities.
My Department is currently carrying out an extensive review of the programme's capital commitments to date to ensure that those grant commitments previously entered into will in fact be realised by the groups on the ground. At the same time, it is also reviewing different budget lines under the capital programme to ensure that the most effective use is made of all remaining capital funding in accordance with the objectives of the programme. Every effort is being made to expedite the programme review of the capital elements of the equal opportunities childcare programme to ensure that all capital projects which have already received grant allocations will proceed. The Deputy will appreciate that more than 1,100 capital grants have been allocated already totalling approximately €114 million. Many of these projects are either awaiting planning permission or the completion of tender processes before reasonable assurance can be taken that they will proceed. In the event that a project does not proceed, the funding can be decommitted and made available to another project.
At the same time, an extensive review of child care provision on the ground is taking place to identify obvious service gaps, the filling of which will be a priority using the remaining capital funding which currently amounts to some €30 million, not including decommitted funding, and possible funding transfers from other elements of the programme following the current review. The careful analysis of this information is essential if the best use is to be made of the significant capital funding being provided by the Government to support the child care needs of parents who may be in employment, education or training. I would be hopeful that the review work will be completed before Easter, following which the critical appraisal of all applications against the programme criteria will lead to the allocation of further capital funding.
I would remind the Deputy that the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 is in fact a seven year development programme. The progress of the programme was commented upon very favourably by the mid-term evaluators of both the regional operational programmes and the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Expenditure under the programme must take place in a planned manner and covers the period to end 2007. Accordingly, grant approvals must take place in a carefully planned manner to ensure that the programme can meet its financial commitments at all times.
504 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason there is a delay in processing child care grant applications; if he will expedite an application (details provided); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8873/04]
View answerAll applications for grant assistance under the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process by Area Development Management Limited. All large scale capital projects are referred by ADM Limited to an independent external building specialist to assess the suitability of the proposal and its value for money.
I understand from information supplied by the childcare directorate that there has been significant ongoing contact between Area Development Management Limited, the external building specialist and the group regarding their application for capital funding under the programme. On completion of the assessment process, applications are considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, for a recommendation before I make a final decision.
I would advise the Deputy that there has been considerable demand from community based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited from significant grant commitments to provide new and enhanced community based child care facilities. My Department is currently carrying out an extensive review of the programme's capital commitments to date to ensure that those grant commitments previously entered into will in fact be realised by the groups on the ground. At the same time, it is also reviewing different budget lines under the capital programme to ensure that the most effective use is made of all remaining capital funding in accordance with the objectives of the programme.
Every effort is being made to expedite the programme review of the capital elements of the equal opportunities childcare programme to ensure that all capital projects which have already received grant allocations will proceed. The Deputy will appreciate that more than 1,100 capital grants have been allocated already totalling over €114 million. In the event that a project does not proceed, the funding can be decommitted and made available to another project.
At the same time, an extensive review of childcare provision on the ground is taking place to identify obvious service gaps, the filling of which will be a priority using the remaining capital funding which currently amounts to some €30 million, not including decommitted funding, and possible funding transfers from other elements of the programme following the current review. The careful analysis of this information is essential if the best use is to be made of the significant capital funding being provided by the Government to support the child care needs of parents who may be in employment, education or training. I would be hopeful that the review work will be completed before Easter, following which the critical appraisal of all applications against the programme criteria will lead to the allocation of further capital funding.
I would remind the Deputy that the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 is in fact a seven year development programme. The progress of the programme was commented upon very favourably by the mid-term evaluators of the regional operational programmes and the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Expenditure under the programme must take place in a planned manner and covers the period to end 2007. Accordingly, grant approvals must take place in a carefully planned manner to ensure that the programme can meet its financial commitments at all times.
All applications for grant assistance under the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process by Area Development Management Limited. On completion of the assessment process, applications are considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, for a recommendation before I make a final decision.
As the group's application for staffing grant assistance relates directly to the capital grant application, it will be considered following the completion of the appraisal process of the capital grant application.
