Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007
380 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 15 February 2007, if the appeal assessment process has been concluded by Pobal; if a recommendation has been made to the PAC; when a final decision will be made by the Secretary General; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9526/07]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP), which are being implemented by the Office of the Minister for Children.
A recent application from the Group in question for staffing grant assistance under the EOCP was not recommended for approval by the Programme Appraisal Committee (PAC) as the Group had not met the reporting requirements in respect of previous grant assistance allocated. The Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children concurred with the recommendation of the PAC not to approve additional funding in this instance and the Childcare Directorate of my Office informed the Group of this decision.
An appeal by the Group in regard to this decision was received by the Childcare Directorate and forwarded to Pobal, which manages the day-to-day operation of the programme on behalf of my Office, to carry out a detailed assessment. This assessment is still ongoing and when completed will be forwarded for consideration by the PAC, prior to a final decision being made by the Secretary General. The Group will be informed of the outcome in due course.
