236 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a staffing grant under the equal opportunities child care programme will be approved to a group (details supplied) in County Cork. [30800/05]

The community-based group in question was approved some time ago for a staffing grant for one year. Following this initial grant funding, the group was not subsequently approved for staffing funding and an appeal concerning this decision was submitted to my Department. The appeal was forwarded to Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which is engaged by my Department to assess all applications.

I understand from inquiries I have made, that ADM has been in dialogue with the group and is awaiting further information from it in order to progress the assessment. When the assessment has been completed, the application will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, before a final decision is made regarding funding. The group will be informed of the outcome of the assessment in due course.