Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a shortfall in funding for the proposed community crèche in Tuam, County Galway and the fact that the €1.1 million provided by his Department for this project is not sufficient to complete the project to the specifications attached to the application for grant aid; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the Tuam Community Development Resource Centre is a non-profit making body which has provided excellent service to the parents of Tuam for many years, many on low incomes and that the opportunities open to this voluntary group to raise its own resource funding are extremely limited; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that if the extra funding is not made available this project will be a failure with grave consequences for many lower income families in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10510/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for the national child care investment programme has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new Office of the Minister for Children under the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for children.

With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000 to 2006, I understand the community-based group in question was approved capital funding of €1.1 million in December 2004. No formal appeal of this decision or request for additional funding has been received from the group since that decision.

Each grant application and the level of funding required and made available to groups is carefully assessed against the objectives of the programme. Pobal, formerly known as Area Development Management Limited, which administers the programme, is in dialogue with the group and is awaiting further information from it in order to progress its application in line with the level of capital grant assistance approved.