Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on a grant application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4631/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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An application for capital grant assistance from the 2000 — 2006 equal opportunities child care programme was received from this community-based group on 3 June 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, for a recommendation before I make a final decision.

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 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. 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.

All applications for capital grant assistance are appraised in accordance with the programme criteria 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.