Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 924: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for delays in payment of salary to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if the board of the centre in question will end this practice immediately. [24424/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the equal opportunities child care programme, 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 September 2000, the group in question was awarded a staffing grant of €133,703 over three years under the EOCP. In November 2003, the group was approved staffing continuation funding of €37,000 up to 31 December 2004. A further €29,600 was approved up to 31 August 2005. Following a detailed review of the staffing grants under the EOCP, the group was approved staffing continuation funding of €119,600 up to end December 2007. This brings the total staffing grant assistance approved to €319,903. All funding approvals are subject to the conclusion of a contractual agreement with Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which administers the grants on behalf of my Department.

Drawdown of staffing grants is by quarterly instalment and is triggered by the beneficiary group submitting quarterly returns to ADM. Submission of timely and accurate quarterly returns is part of the contractual obligation of each group in receipt of staffing grant assistance under the EOCP.

I understand from inquiries I have made that the group in question submitted a drawdown request to ADM in May 2005 which was incomplete. Payment of €19,050 was made in August 2005 on foot of the group's June quarterly return. I further understand that ADM Limited awaits a response from the group with regard to resolving any outstanding issues regarding this group's staffing grant. Responsibility for timely payment of salaries rests with the management of the project in question.