Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 739: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group (details supplied) in County Cork have not yet received their roll-over staffing grant for the period of January to August 2005; when this group will expect to receive their funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10833/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, or EOCP, 2000-06 provides grant assistance towards the staffing costs of community based, not-for-profit child care services which have a clear focus on disadvantage. In August 2001, the group in question was awarded a staffing grant of €126,974, over three years under the EOCP. On 20 January 2005, the group was approved staffing continuation funding of €24,689 up to 31 August 2005. All funding approvals are subject to the conclusion of a contractual agreement with Area Development Management limited, ADM, which administers the grants on my behalf.

I understand that ADM was in dialogue with the group on the conditions which must be met on operating hours each day and weeks per year before a contract is finalised. These discussions have concluded and ADM has informed the group that its existing level of staffing grant assistance will be continued up to 31 August 2005 subject to the group maintaining its forecast levels of service and meeting the associated conditions.