Vol. 552 No. 1
528 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the refusal by his Department of a grant under the equal opportunities childcare programme to Clonmel Community Playgroup; and if he will approve a grant to this playgroup. [11066/02]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has been assigned the lead role in the development and co-ordination of child care services over the course of the national development plan. In this regard, the equal opportunities childcare programme, which is funded by both the European Union and the Exchequer, provides grant assistance to community based and not for profit organisations and private child care providers who meet the criteria set out in the programme.
With regard to the playgroup referred to by the Deputy, I have been informed by the childcare directorate of my Department that an application was received in July 2001 from the playgroup for a staffing grant. Staffing grants are available to community based and not for profit organisations which operate in areas of disadvantage or which have a particular focus on tackling disadvantage within their area. The application underwent the usual assessment and appraisal process. In particular, a technical assessment of the proposal carried out by ADM Limited was referred to the programme appraisal committee.
On foot of the assessment by ADM and the recommendation of the appraisal committee, I regret that I was not in a position to approve this application. While the programme appraisal committee recognised the valuable service offered by the playgroup, it held that the proposal did not fall within the scope of the equal opportunities childcare programme because it did not meet the core objectives of the programme in terms of the hours of operation and seemed to have a very limited focus in terms of addressing disadvantage. I understand from officials of my Department's childcare directorate that an appeal in relation to the decision was lodged on 24 January 2002. The appeal is being processed and, in the interim, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further in relation to this matter.
