Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason grant assistance for Carrigeen pre-school in County Kilkenny has ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16166/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The group referred to by the Deputy was approved a staffing grant of €12,000 for one year and a capital grant of €20,426 under the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000 — 2006 on 20 January 2003. I understand that the group has now drawn down both grants.

The group was advised that the staffing grant would be paid over one year and that they would be required to prepare and submit a development plan which demonstrated their focus on disadvantage, if future funding of the service was to be considered.

As the Deputy may be aware, each application for funding undergoes a thorough assessment by Area Development Management Limited, which has been engaged by my Department to carry out the day to day administration of the programme. On completion of the assessment process all applications are then considered by the programme appraisal committee, which is chaired by my Department, which makes a funding recommendation to me before I make a final decision on the project proposal.

Recently, following a submission for a staffing grant for a further two years, I concurred with a recommendation of the programme appraisal committee not to approve additional funding, as the group had not satisfactorily demonstrated its focus on disadvantage. As the Deputy will appreciate, funding under the staffing measure of the programme is awarded to community based organisations providing child care which supports disadvantaged parents, particularly women, while accessing work, training or educational opportunities. In this instance, and on the basis of the material supplied by the group, it was considered that this project has limited impact on this objective of the programme.