Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
345 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if an application has been received in his Department from an organisation (details supplied) for funding; the reasons the application has been refused, and if he will consider approving a grant for the organisation. [28890/04]
View answerThe 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 the programme at this time. However, should further funds become available to the programme before year-end, this application will be reconsidered. It is open to any group to have the decision on its application reviewed by applying in writing to the Department and stating the grounds for review.
346 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a relatively small grant application for renewal of €3,700 to a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 12 to provide education for personal development courses in the community serving a significant number of local persons on a weekly basis has been refused on the basis that the application did not achieve sufficient points; the reasons for this cut-off in funding; if he will review this decision in view of the value of this resource to the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28891/04]
View answerThe Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs received an application in respect of personal development courses 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 from the group 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 from the group 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.
