asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the Government's decision to cut the expenditure of the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty in real terms in 1980 and if he will indicate the effects of the reduced expenditure on the committee's programme this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty.
54.
The EEC programme to combat poverty is due to terminate on 1 December 1980 and taking the shorter period into account the financial allocation to the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty for 1980 represents a slight increase on that for 1979. The committee have been informed of their allocation and I understand that they are examining the situation.
When the Minister says the EEC programme is to end in December 1980, is he aware that there was a possibility that agreement could be reached for this scheme to be extended, but that the decision of the Government to undermine the work of the committee at home has seriously affected any possibility of an extension of this scheme at EEC level?
Funds are provided for the duration of the current scheme and the negotiations which are proceeding at the moment will be followed by my Department.
One would assume the Department would at least follow the negotiations. This scheme is being reviewed at the moment at EEC level. There was a real possibility it would be extended beyond December 1980. As the scheme was first introduced through an Irish Government initiative, the fact that this Irish Government have withdrawn funds from the national committee has seriously undermined any possibility of having this scheme extended at EEC level.
I would like to make it quite clear that the Government have not withdrawn any funds. They made provision for funds to cover the current term. The proposals to extend those terms are under discussion in the Council of Ministers at working party level and no decision is expected for some months. As I said in my reply, the amount of money provided for the 11-month period is slightly more than that provided for the same period last year. As Minister for Social Welfare I am particularly interested in the outcome of the Commission's proposals.
Would the Minister not agree that he is being, to say the least, misleading when he tries to convey that the committee's allocation from the Government has been slightly increased? In real terms it has been drastically cut and this will have very severe repercussions on the work of the committee. The reduction in the Government's allocation will lead to the termination of the scheme.
I want to clarify that point. We are dealing with an allocation for a period of 11 months. The amount allocated is £2,250 more than was provided last year. The question of the continuation of the committee is being considered at present.
In making the allocation for 11 months, do the Government anticipate that the scheme at EEC level will come to an end in December? Is this the attitude they are adopting at EEC level towards the continuation of the scheme?
The allocation is a technical matter to cover the period which is presently scheduled for the committee. The committee have been informed of their allocation. They are examining the position and I hope to meet them very soon to hear their views and to consider their future position.
Is the Minister not aware that the national committee was set up by an allocation at national level and subsequent to its being funded nationally the EEC agreed to extend it to the other Nine member states. Because of this Government's attitude this scheme will probably be terminated at EEC level. There was nothing to debar the Government from continuing the work of the committee at national level.
I will be very interested to meet the committee when they have examined their allocation and have considered their future position. I would certainly be interested in having a meeting with them.
Question No. 55.
Have the committee not already conveyed to the Minister their attitude regarding their allocation of money and the serious effects it will have on their future work?
I am awaiting their formal views on the allocation. I know there have been press reports and radio reports but I am awaiting their formal submission.
In view of the totally unsatisactory nature of the Minister's reply I seek permission to raise this on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.