Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 939: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the provision of funding for a new child care centre at Rathkeale, County Limerick. [24668/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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This group submitted an application for capital grant assistance under the equal opportunities child care programme, EOCP, 2000-06, to my Department some time ago. The group in question was approved for EOCP staffing grant assistance of over €206,332. Subject to the group complying with the terms of their staffing grant and satisfactory contractual arrangements with Area Development Management Limited, ADM, their current level of grant support will be extended to 31 December 2007.

The capital grant application was forwarded to ADM, which is engaged by my Department to carry out detailed assessments of all EOCP grant applications on my behalf. Each application undergoes a thorough assessment by ADM to ensure it meets the EOCP funding criteria. In addition, large scale projects, such as this capital development, undergo an intensive assessment by an external building consultant.

The ongoing assessment of the applications in the pipeline will be concluded as speedily as possible to facilitate the development of additional child care facilities and places at the earliest opportunity. When the assessment on the project in question is completed, the application will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, before a final decision is made regarding funding. The group will be informed of the outcome of the assessment in due course.