Michael P. Kitt
Question:3 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Taoiseach the up-to-date position on the designation of areas of unemployment in County Galway under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Development Programme.
As part of the Local Development Programme in the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, it is proposed to extend the number of area based partnerships to new areas with high concentrations of long term unemployed and social exclusion.
I hope to be in a position to make an announcement about the new areas shortly.
I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. Given the success of the pilot schemes in rural areas, perhaps the Taoiseach would consider similar schemes in the east Galway area where unemployment is high in the towns of Tuam, Loughrea and Ballinasloe. I also welcome the positive news in relation to Galway City and the granting of urban renewal status to Ballinasloe. There is a need for these programmes which are of great benefit in rural areas. Will the Taoiseach indicate if they will be included in the next programme?
We will certainly take into account what the Deputy said in regard to the areas mentioned. However, the number of areas to be designated is a matter for the Government and we will be taking decisions very shortly. Designation has been considered by the interdepartmental policy committee on local development and the consideration involved objective and measurable criteria such as indicators of disadvantage and feasible operational boundaries in terms of size and economic base. I assure the Deputy that decisions will not be long delayed in regard to the new areas to be designated.
Will the Taoiseach indicate the number of additional partnership areas he proposes to establish? Further, will he deal with the anomaly whereby persons getting the same type of support but who happen to live at different addresses end up with different take home pay? It does create friction, certainly in a city like Dublin, where people in identical situations but living on different sides of a boundary line are treated so differently.
I cannot assist the Deputy. This question refers specifically to County Galway.