Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the serious plight of a playgroup (details supplied) in west Cavan where, without a staffing grant, it will not be able to continue to give a service in one of the most isolated areas in the country; if he will ensure that this essential service is not closed down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27241/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand that an application for continuation staffing grant assistance under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-2006 was submitted by the group in question to my Department some time ago. Each application for funding undergoes a thorough assessment by Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which has been engaged by my Department to carry out the day to day administration of the programme. All assessed applications are then considered by the programme appraisal committee, PAC, which is chaired by my Department, before a final decision is made regarding funding.

The assessment on the group's application was completed by ADM and it was referred to the PAC for consideration. In the light of all information available at that stage, the PAC was unable to recommend the project for funding under the staffing measure of the EOCP as the demand for the service in the area was not substantiated. Accordingly, it was not possible to make EOCP staffing funding available to the group on that occasion.

An appeal of this decision has been lodged by the group in question to my Department. In line with normal practice when an appeal is lodged, I understand that ADM is re-examining the application and any additional information supplied in its support and that this process is in the final stages of assessment. When this is completed, the appeal will be re-submitted to the PAC for consideration following which a decision on the grant application will be made and communicated to the group at the earliest possible date. In the event that an appeal is unsuccessful, it is open to a group to reapply should the circumstances change.