Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason an organisation (details supplied) had their application for funding denied under the National Childcare Investment programme; the way they an appeal can be made, if there are any plans for NICP programme for 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33292/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The maximum grant available was €50,000 (including VAT). The aim of the funding is to provide support to childcare settings to address remedial, maintenance and renovation work, or to purchase equipment.

Following a robust appraisal 290 applications were approved for funding. The successful applications were those that represented the most complete, coherent, precise and compelling cases for funding. The investment has been directed, to the greatest extent possible, to addressing the most urgent works, and supporting the quality of services making the greatest impact for disadvantaged children and communities.

The capital programme was administered by Pobal and behalf of this Department. The Pobal website informed applicants, whose applications were declined, of the steps to be taken to obtain information on how their application was appraised. Applicants could request by e-mail a call-back from Pobal if they wished to discuss their application further. The reason for the decline/partial approval would then be explained to the applicant and if the applicant still had concerns about the reasonable treatment of their application, a written request to Pobal for a review of their application could be submitted. The review of such applications will be considered shortly by a Review Panel which is being led by my Department.

I understand that at this stage, Pobal cannot take any further requests for individual consultations or requests for reviews. I also understand that the service in question has not made contact with Pobal since the decision to decline the application was transmitted to them.

It is not possible, prior to the conclusion of the Estimates and Budgetary Process for 2013, to determine whether capital funding will be made available to my Department under December's Budget.