Vol. 571 No. 1
1127 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made on the application for a capital grant from a facility (details supplied) in County Sligo for the provision of quality affordable flexible child care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19875/03]
A grant application for capital grant assistance from the 2000-2006 equal opportunities childcare programme was received from this community based group in April 2003. All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process against the programme criteria by Area Development Management Limited. On completion of the assessment process, applications are considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, for a recommendation before I make a final decision. There has been considerable demand from community based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited from significant grant commitments to provide new and enhanced community based child care facilities.
The equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 is currently undergoing an independent mid-term review as part of the review of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. My Department is also currently carrying out an extensive review of the programme's capital commitments to date to ensure that those grant commitments previously entered into will be realised by the groups on the ground. At the same time, it is also reviewing the different budget lines under the capital programme to ensure that the most effective use is made of all remaining capital funding in accordance with the objectives of the programme.
All applications for capital grant assistance are appraised in accordance with the programme criteria in order to ensure that those projects which best meet the aims and objectives of the programme receive the capital grant assistance which will enable them to provide quality childcare in areas where there are service deficits. It would be premature of me to comment further on specific applications for capital grant assistance at this time.
