asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if he considers the commitment in his recent document relating to the inner city of Dublin to be adequate in view of the enormous problems in the area; if he will outline in detail (a) the specific types of grants and schemes and (b) the organisations or interests which will benefit from the fund which is now available; and whether applications may be made immediately for financial assistance for any such schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Inner City Development.
14.
The Government consider that the establishment of the Inner City Group and the decision to allocate an additional £1 million in 1979 towards a programme of work for the area represent an important commitment on their part towards alleviating the problems of the inner city. The group will develop a programme of action by the various Departments and public agencies operating in the inner city and will advise me on how the additional £1 million allocated for 1979 can best be used. The group will be willing to consider applications for assistance for inner city projects, and particularly for projects which create employment. The vast bulk of public expenditure in the inner city is done, and will continue to be done, by existing public agencies and through their programmes. The additional £1 million provided for 1979 is a special booster fund to speed up programmes and act as a stimulus to the action needed to deal with the problems of the inner-city area.
Is the Minister aware that it is now many weeks since the first reference was made to this £1 million? Is it still the position that organisations and groups interested in applying for benefit under the £1 million scheme are unable to do so because the full list of likely schemes has not yet been worked out? Is the Minister open to applications at last, or is it still under consideration?
I have indicated in my reply that the group will be willing to consider applications for assistance for inner city projects particularly those creating employment. I am sure the Deputy is familiar with the statement issued which contained a summary of the recommendations and outlined the general approach to the scheme. Anybody who is concerned with this is aware of the general lines of approach. If people wish to make application there is nothing to prevent them doing so.
Was this £1 million first referred to in the budget?
No, it was not in the budget.
Sometime subsequent to that there was a proposition that £1 million would be made available. I want to ascertain if people can now apply. There is some talk that they would have to wait for a final review or final consideration of how the scheme would be implemented. Is the money now available? I want that confirmed.
The money is available. The final decision on the matter of its expenditure has not been made. I am sure the Deputy would not wish to hear they had been made if applications can be made. I suggest that anybody who is interested can apply and should perhaps address their applications to the Minister for Economic Planning and Development to whom the group are reporting.
Is there some special formula?
No special form.
If one applied today could one be told in two weeks that the application was or was not successful?
I should not like to put a time limit on it.