Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 4

Written Answers. - Local Development Programme.

Austin Currie

Question:

82 Mr. Currie asked the Taoiseach if he will give an assurance that the eleven urban areas recently designated under the local development programme within the National Development Plan, 1994-99, including Blanchardstown, North Clondalkin and Ballyfermot, County Dublin, will be unaffected by recent changes in the National Development Plan, 1994-99.

Paul McGrath

Question:

85 Mr. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the funds available for County Westmeath and County Longford under the local development programme; and the criteria, if any, for disbursement of these funds.

The Taoiseach

The Government has designated 33 disadvantaged areas to be targeted under the local development programme, the EU funding for which will be available through the operational programme for local development. These have been designated on the basis of objective indicators of disadvantage, feasible operational boundaries and viability in terms of size and economic base. The discussions in relation to operational programmes are proceeding in parallel with those on the community support framework and in the case of the operational programme for local development, are well advanced.

The designation of areas for inclusion in the local development programme is the first stage in the establishment of a partnership structure in those areas. The structure involves the establishment of a partnership company comprising nominees of the local community, State agencies operating in the area and the social partners. The partnership company's task is to prepare an action plan based on the needs and resources of the area. The resources under the local development programme will be allocated to areas in accordance with their action plans, taking into account the quality of the plan, its relevance to the measures fundable under the operational programme and to the particular areas. Criteria will also include the extent to which the plans seek to achieve maximum impact on employment and employment creation measures and to improve the education and training opportunities and the community involvement of people in the area.

A sum of £5 million is included in my Department's Vote for 1994 as matching funding for the disadvantaged areas element of the local development programme. I do not expect any undue delay in the finalisation of the negotiations on the operations programme but the matter will be kept under review. I am confident that over the period 1994-99, it will be possible to implement all the measures envisaged under the local development programme.

For areas which have not been designated as disadvantaged, the local development programme will operate through the county enterprise boards, in co-operation with the new Leader community initiative. The community employment programme will also operate nationally and non-designated urban centres may be considered for the urban renewal programme.