263 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will approve a capital grant for self employed child care providers in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; when he received this application; and if there are obstacles to having the funding allocated. [7091/02]

As the Deputy is aware, the equal opportunities child care programme, 2000 to 2006, makes grant assistance available under a range of measures to develop child care services throughout Ireland. Funding for the programme comes from both the European Union and the Exchequer.

On 20 November 2001, a capital grant application, under the programme, was received in my Department from the individual in question. The application was immediately passed to ADM Limited, which administers the programme on my behalf, to carry out a technical appraisal of the project proposal. I understand that this technical assessment is now taking place and, once complete, this assessment will be referred to programme appraisal committee for a recommendation before I make a decision on the application. Until then, it would be premature of me to comment further on this application.