Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, for coming into the House to take this motion. In 2001 Ballymote Community Child Care Company Limited lodged its application with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for capital and staff funding for a new play group building providing a morning and afternoon session. Following discussions with the Sisters of Mercy, it donated a new site for which planning permission was sought and granted.

In January 2002 Area Development Management Limited met with members of the group to assess its grant application and plans. Some weeks later Area Development Management contacted the group about the grant application and advised it to apply for funding to provide a full day care facility. The group was reluctant to do so but Area Development Management implied that the grant would be looked on more favourably if it did so. A needs assessment survey carried out in a four mile radius of Ballymote indicated that there was a demand for full day child care and an even greater need for before and after school child care.

I am glad to have the opportunity to raise this with the Minister. There are many such applications before the Department but I wish to impress upon him the importance of this application. A total of 28 people who worked in the playgroup and availed of training went on to full-time employment. The proposed new child care facility will provide employment for 18 people. It will offer 200 play group places per week; 55 full day care places for one to three year olds; 50 places per week for three to four year olds; and 72 places per week for before and after school care. The application speaks for itself and there is no doubt about the demand. I ask the Minister at his earliest convenience to ensure that this project gets off the ground.