223 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by the Ballybeg Community Development Project under the early school leavers initiative, given that they have fully complied with all requests from his Department and have received an endorsement from Waterford ESLI; if he will grant approval in view of the fact that this project is due to run out of funding shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12608/02]

The Deputy is referring to an application for funding under the fund for the development of targeted responses to children at risk which was received from Ballybeg Community Education Project in 2001. This fund is overseen by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Hanafin. The purpose of this fund is to develop preventative and supportive programmes that are targeted at children and young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage and social exclusion.