The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs received an application from the group in question under the 2004 programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations. All applications received were assessed by reference to the criteria published in the scheme guidelines. The application in question was awarded a score under each of these criteria and the scores were added together to give a total score.
The number of applications for funding received under the programme far exceeded the funds available and only those proposals that achieved a sufficiently high total score arising from the assessment process were recommended for funding. Against this background, the application in question failed to achieve the requisite score to enable it to be considered for funding under this year's programme. The group may have the decision on its application reviewed by applying in writing to the Department and stating the grounds for review.