174 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if there are elements of positive discrimination exercised by his Department towards particular areas in view of the fact that areas of rural Ireland contribute substantially to our current Objective One status; the form that any such positive discrimination takes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8045/97]

My Department does not exercise discrimination towards or against any particular geographic areas of the country. However, the pilot childcare initiative, which is operated by area Development Management Limited — ADM — on behalf of my Department, is restricted to childcare services operating in designated disadvantaged areas and approved projects in both rural and urban areas have been grant aided under the initiative.