Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Tuffy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. The motion appears to have been tabled to the Minister for Education and Science. I am happy to have the opportunity to reply to the matter raised on behalf of the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science.

The Senator will be aware that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility for the administration of the Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme 2000-2006, which makes grant assistance available under a range of measures to develop child care services throughout Ireland. Funding for the programme, which totals almost €437 million, comes from both the European Union and the Exchequer.

In this context, the term "child care" refers to day care facilities and services for pre-school children and school going children out of school hours. It includes services offering care, education and socialisation opportunities for children to the benefit of children, parents, employers and the wider community. Thus services such as naíonraí, day care services, crèches, play groups, child minding and after school groups are included, but schools and residential centres for children are excluded.

I am informed that the Carline Centre of Learning has previously applied for funding under the programme, although no application for funding is outstanding. Of course, it remains open to the centre to apply for funding under the programme.

The Carline project to which the Senator has referred is a constituent part of the larger Streetline project based in Dublin. The Streetline project was founded in 1987 to combat the problem of homelessness among young people between the ages of ten to 16 years of age in the Dublin city area.

As I know, the Carline project operates from a permanent facility in Balgaddy, Clondalkin, County Dublin and provides 30 training places to young males and females aged between 13 and 18 years of age. It offers education and job training programmes to young people who are without training or qualifications for gainful employment and who are at risk of becoming involved in drug and alcohol abuse and crime. Carline integrates health education, social and family services by bringing together community and State agencies, parents and other Departments in order to provide education, health and child care and job training to young disadvantaged unemployed youth in the Clondalkin area.

Carline has expanded its training programmes to include training in the area of computers, horticulture, carpentry, glass making, photography, landscaping and organic farming. Carline also provides an access programme for young people involved in substance abuse. Counselling and special education options are also offered to those who require them.

Since 1998, the Department of Education and Science has provided financial assistance to Carline, on a pilot basis in the amount of €106,658 per annum. In addition, a further sum of €51,000 was provided to Carline for minor repair and refurbishment works during 2002. The Department also provides Carline with an allocation of tuition hours to cater for specific children. All financial assistance provided by the Department towards this project is paid to County Dublin VEC.

There is ongoing need for VEC oversight of activities, which are supported by the Department to ensure they meet local needs and are effective, that quality assurance measures are in place and that value for money is obtained. Continuing financial support for Carline, under service contract with County Dublin VEC, has regard to the requirement that educational services provided by different agencies in the area should be, as far as possible, consistent and complementary with VEC service plans.

The question of renewing support for the Carline project in the current year is under consideration in the Department of Education and Science, and a decision on this matter will issue to County Dublin VEC shortly. At the end of last year, under my own Estimate in the Department of Health and Children there was a small amount outstanding and I met representatives of Carline and arranged for a payment to help them with their worthy work.