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Gnáthamharc

Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004

Thursday, 25 March 2004

Ceisteanna (135)

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

135 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application by Presentation Convent family centre, Listowel, County Kerry for a grant to build a new centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9459/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for capital grant assistance under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000 to 2006 was received from this community-based group in the middle of 2002.

All applications for grant assistance undergo a thorough assessment and appraisal process against the programme criteria by Area Development Management Limited, which has been engaged by my Department to undertake the work on my behalf.

As a large-scale project, the application required a thorough review by an external building specialist to assess the suitability of the proposal and its value for money. I am aware that there has been significant ongoing dialogue between the group, Area Development Management Limited, and the external building specialist with regard to the application. On completion of the assessment process, applications are normally considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, which will make a funding recommendation to me before I make a final decision on the matter.

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 be realised by the groups on the ground. At the same time, it is also reviewing 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.

Every effort is being made to expedite the programme review of the capital elements of the equal opportunities child care programme to ensure that all capital projects which have already received grant allocations will proceed. The Deputy will appreciate that over 1,100 capital grants have been allocated already, totalling over €114 million. Many of those projects are either awaiting planning permission or the completion of tender processes before reasonable assurance can be given that they will proceed. In the event that a project does not proceed, the funding can be decommitted and made available to another project.

At the same time, an extensive review of child care provision is taking place to identify obvious service gaps, the filling of which will be a priority using the remaining capital funding, which currently amounts to some €30 million, not including decommitted funding and possible funding transfers from other elements of the programme following the current review. The careful analysis of that information is essential if the best use is to be made of the significant capital funding being provided by the Government to support the child care needs of parents who may be in employment, education or training. I hope that the review work will be completed before Easter, following which the critical appraisal of all applications against the programme criteria will lead to the allocation of further capital funding.

I remind the Deputy that the equal opportunities child care programme 2000 to 2006 is a seven year development programme. The progress of the programme was commented upon very favourably by the mid-term evaluators of both the regional operational programmes and the national development plan for 2000 to 2006. Expenditure under the programme must take place in a planned manner and covers the period until the end of 2007. Accordingly, grant approvals must take place in a carefully planned manner to ensure that the programme can meet its financial commitments at all times. In the interim, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the application.

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