Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

602 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application by the Presentation Family Centre Limited, Listowel, County Kerry, to provide a new centre for childcare and other services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25507/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

A grant application for capital grant assistance from the 2000-2006 equal opportunities childcare programme was received from this community-based group in March 2002.

All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process against the programme criteria by Area Development Management Limited. Large scale projects, such as this capital development, undergo an intensive appraisal by an external building consultant. As in this case, the external appraisal can lead to recommendations to restructure proposed developments and this leads to dialogue with the group.

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 childcare 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 in fact be realised by 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 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 until these review processes have been completed.