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Residential Placement.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2004

Wednesday, 4 February 2004

Ceisteanna (211, 212)

Mary Upton

Ceist:

302 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on care provided to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who is urgently in need of a residential placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3348/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is not my practice to comment on individual cases. However, I have been advised by the Probation and Welfare Service that this young man was accepted by the hostel referred to by the Deputy prior to Christmas 2003 but that, during his one week stay, he absconded from the hostel on a number of occasions. I am further informed that a recent multidisciplinary case conference was held to consider whether the hostel in question was a suitable placement in the short term as an alternative to a continued remand in custody, pending the availability of a place at a unit specialising in cases of this type, in the UK. Following further deliberations, the management committee at the hostel decided that it was not in a position to offer a further placement, even temporarily, to the young man in question.

This young man is currently on remand in custody to Clover Hill Prison and I understand that this case is listed for further hearing today, 4 February 2004.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

303 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary for assistance with the provision of a full day children's facility. [3351/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

An application for capital grant assistance from the 2000-2006 Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme was received from this community based group on 9 January 2004.

All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process 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.

My Department is 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 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 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 child care 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.

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