Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding funding for services for a foundation (details supplied) in County Cork; when announcements will be made regarding these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16787/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand that an application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, EOCP, was submitted by the group in question to my Department in September 2004. The EOCP is a seven year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and training.

This application has been forwarded to Area Development Management limited, ADM, which is engaged by my Department to carry out detailed assessments on all EOCP grant applications on my behalf. As the Deputy may be aware, each application for funding undergoes a thorough assessment by ADM to ensure it meets the criteria for funding under the EOCP. I understand from inquiries I have made that ADM has been in dialogue with the group in question and is awaiting additional information from the group in order to advance the assessment process.

When the assessment on the project in question is completed, the application will then be considered by the EOCP appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, before I make a final decision. The group will be informed of the outcome in due course.