Vol. 560 No. 1
962 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if an application for funding to provide for training of managers and boards of directors of centres for independent living has been received from Independent Living Community Services; if so, the date of receipt of the application; the status of this application; and when a decision will be made on this application. [1793/03]
The White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity published in September 2000 provides for a number of funding schemes including a scheme for the provision of training and supports in the community and voluntary sector. An application under the scheme referred to was received from Independent Living and Community Services. The application was received prior to the advertised closing date of the scheme on Tuesday 7 May, 2002. There was a strong response to the advertisement for this scheme, with 540 applications received.
It has now been decided that in order to expedite the assessment of this large number of applications, consultants should be recruited to make an assessment of all applications received and to make recommendations to me at the earliest date possible. My Department is making the necessary arrangements for recruitment of a suitable consultant for completion of this task. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application as soon as possible following completion of the assessment process.
