Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:201 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the review of funding for child care capital spending will be finalised. [5447/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 19 February 2004
Ceisteanna (201, 202)
Freagraí scríofa
All applications for capital grant assistance under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06 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 child care in areas where there are service deficits.
During 2003 a mid-term evaluation of each of the regional operational programmes was carried out in partnership between the EU Commission, the managing authorities and the implementing bodies as required under the EU Structural Fund regulations.
An important aim of the mid-term evaluation is to provide a suitable framework for making informed decisions about setting priorities for the second phase of the regional programmes and for making any adjustments, such as changes to the community support framework which might have become necessary. This post-evaluation review, which involves all the parties concerned with funding, managing and implementing the programmes, will look at all aspects of the programme, but in particular, the effectiveness, progress and continued relevance of the priorities and measures, including the child care measures, making up both programmes.
While both post-evalution reviews are ongoing at present, it is expected that some new proposals will be brought to the spring monitoring committee of the regions concerned. In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment on how this process might impact on the equal opportunities child care programme.
In addition, 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 programme to ensure that the most effective use is made of all the remaining funding in accordance with the objectives of the programme. At this stage it is not possible to be definitive as to when the review will be finalised but I can confirm that it will be finalised as soon as it is possible to do so.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:202 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the application from persons (details supplied) for capital funding from ADM made in January 2003; the reason for the delay in coming to a decision on this application; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the ongoing delay will result in higher capital costs. [5448/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for capital grant assistance from the 2000-06 equal opportunities child care programme was received from this community based group on 4 February 2003.
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, which submits a recommendation to me before I make a final decision in each case. There has been considerable demand from community based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited from significant 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 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 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.