Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 5

Written Answers. - Community Development Projects.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

312 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the comprehensive and supportive community development work undertaken by an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 1 which has provided professional and technical assistance to a wide range of groups who otherwise would not be in a position to prepare and present detailed submissions to enable them to obtain the full amount of financial funding both from the European Union and from national agencies on their own accord and with their own resources; and if he will provide a form of core funding for this organisation and indeed for similar organisations throughout the country in order to assist the Government in its overall programme of community development as envisaged in the national development plan having regard to the role that this organisation has played; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26005/00]

Tony Gregory

Question:

313 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his Department has received a submission from community tech nical aid, Railway Street, Dublin 1 for core funding under the community development programme for a technical assistance for struggling communities project to mainstream the very valuable work carried out under temporary sources of funding; and if he will respond urgently to this request. [25422/00]

John Gormley

Question:

322 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has received an application for core funding from a company (details supplied); if he will reply positively to this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25719/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312, 313 and 322 together.

I can confirm that my Department has received an application from the organisation concerned in relation to the provision of specialist technical assistance for community development projects in areas of rapid urban change under the Department's community development support programmes, CDSPs. My Department already provides considerable support assistance for projects within the programme through the funding of regional-based support agencies and through specialist support agencies.

This application was referred to the standing operational committee of the community development programme for consideration of additional support structures, including specialist support needs within the Department's programmes. The standing operational committee took the view that before individual proposals to provide technical assistance were considered, a strategic decision was required on whether such technical assistance was an identified need within the programme. The committee intends to revisit this at its next meeting.

The application from the organisation concerned will therefore be considered when the committee has concluded its deliberations on the matter. My Department will be in touch with the group in due course regarding its application.