Child Care Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (1102)

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

1284 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reasons the application for funding by the community after schools project in Dublin 1 made to area development management in January 2004 has not been replied to; if any aspect of the work of the community after schools project fits the criteria for child care funding by area development management; if so, if the funds will be made available; the basis of the short-term funding made by his Department to community after schools project in 2004; if this will be continued; if dormant accounts funds will be made available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22640/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

The community after schools project, Dublin 1, was originally funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform through area development management. Following a decision in that Department that the project no longer met the criteria for funding through area development management under the equal opportunities child care programme, my Department agreed to fund the project through its community development unit in recognition of the need to maintain the after schools services in the Amiens Street area. Short-term funding until the end of 2004 has been agreed. Subject to continued satisfactory progress within the project, I anticipate that funding will be made available to this project in 2005 from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

However, I understand that the community after schools project has also applied for funding to the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Board. The board has decided to engage area development management to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf. This application is being evaluated by area development management against the criteria set out in the published guidelines. Following this evaluation process, a recommendation will be made to the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Board for decision. The community after schools project will be advised of the board's decision in due course.