Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2004
304 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 crèche facilities. [3352/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Childcare Directorate of my Department that it has no record of an application which matches the details provided by the Deputy.
Every application received under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 is referred to ADM Limited which undertakes the day to day management of the programme on my behalf. ADM carries out a thorough appraisal of the application, following which it will make a recommendation to the programme appraisal committee with regard to funding. The programme appraisal committee reviews all applications and makes a final recommendation to me. In the event that a group is recommended for funding, it is invited to enter into a contract with ADM Limited and the project may proceed.
305 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 a staffing grant for their pre-school facility. [3353/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe group, to which the Deputy refers, received a staffing grant under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 in July 2002. The grant was awarded over one year to enable the group deliver a child care service and to prepare and submit a development plan, which would show that the service has a clear focus on disadvantage.
I have been advised that the group submitted an application for further funding towards their staffing costs, which was received in my Department on 22 December 2003. The application was forwarded to Area Development Management Limited which carries out a thorough assessment of each project proposal on behalf of my Department. On completion of the assessment process, the application will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, which makes a funding recommendation to me.
I would like to advise the Deputy that support towards staffing costs under the programme is only available to community based child care projects which meet the programme criteria, show that they are addressing disadvantage and are supporting the child care needs of disadvantaged parents who are in employment, education or training.
In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on this application for a staffing grant application.
