Trevor Sargent
Question:14 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the criteria for the granting of designated status to an area of high unemployment. [2255/94]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Designated Status Criteria.
In 1991, 12 pilot areas were selected for the area-based response to long term unemployment initiative, introduced under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. In each of these areas, partnership companies were established, with board members drawn from local community groups, the social partners and State agencies.
The success of the 12 pilot partnerships in instigating integrated socio-economic development initiatives, aimed in particular at the long term unemployed, was instrumental in the Government's decision to include a local development programme in the National Development Plan.
The designation of disadvantaged areas to participate in the programme was made by the Government on the basis of objective indicators following the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Policy Committee on Local Development, which engaged in detailed consultation with relevant Government Departments, and other agencies, including the Combat Poverty Agency. The views of the National Economic and Social Forum on local development strategies were also taken into account.
Three categories of areas were taken into account — Dublin, other urban areas and rural areas. The objective was to focus on a number of areas with high concentrations of poverty and disadvantage. The choice of areas was based on an assessment involving (1) objective and measurable criteria such as statistical indicators of disadvantage, (2) feasible operational boundaries and (3) viability in terms of size and economic base. A process of local consultation to establish the exact boundaries of each of the designated areas and the appropriate partnership structure to be put in place is currently underway.
The 33 partnership areas will be funded under sub-programme II of the operational programme for local urban and rural development 1994-99, which is currently being finalised with the European Commission. Matching funding for this sub-programme will be provided from the Vote of my Department.
It is likely that other areas would wish to have a specific designation under the local urban and rural development programme but it should be equally clear that to do so would defeat the purpose of designation, namely, to target scarce resources where they are most needed, according to the most effective and objective means possible.
I stress that communities in areas which have not been designated as disadvantaged will not be excluded from funding under the operational programme. Under sub-programme II of the operational programme, communities which make a collective effort to promote the integrated development of their areas and which are capable of a sustained effort to implement a plan that accords with the objectives of the sub-programme, may also apply to be considered for funding.
This provision, together with the county enterprise boards and European Union Initiatives such as Leader II and URBAN, will ensure that no part of the country should be excluded from the local development process.
I thank the Taoiseach for his lengthy reply in which some reference was made to my question. I am curious as to why the Taoiseach, instead of the Minister sitting beside him to whom I put the question, answered it. A question is rarely transferred to the Taoiseach, normally questions are transferred in the opposite direction. In the Taoiseach's last reply he said he was following a precedent set by his predecessors. In the context of this question I wonder if he is following a precedent set by his predecessor, the former Taoiseach, Mr. Haughey, in 1989, who said that designated status in Dublin should apply not only to Tallaght but to areas in need of development, such as Lucan, Clondalkin, Balbriggan and Blanchardstown? Have the criteria changed under the Urban Renewal Act since as Balbriggan has not benefited from the wise words uttered by the Taoiseach's predecessor? Will the Taoiseach clarify if the position has changed?
The Deputy should not ask too many questions.
Who represents north Dublin?
I appreciate the Deputy's comment, it highlights the fact that questions are transferred from other Ministers to me. There is some confusion in the Deputy's mind in respect of the subject of the question. My Department is responsible for the partnership companies in the 33 designated areas. Responsibility for areas outside those areas rests with my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Quinn. Designated partnership companies are spread throughout many areas. With the assistance of the European Union under the Structural Funds area scheme we are examining areas suffering deprivation and high unemployment.
People will make cases for different areas but these must fulfil the criteria laid down by the European Union and the Commission. If these companies were spread across the whole country it would defeat the purpose. We are trying to use concentrated resources to see what will be the result. There is no area ineligible for Structural Funds, whether by way of the Community Development Programme or the Leader II Programme. There is an opportunity for any community who puts forward an integrated plan to be supported under the Structural Funds.
I remind Members that the House will proceed to deal with priority questions in ten minutes, at 3.30 p.m.
If the Taoiseach believes the question has been wrongly transferred to him, should I put it to the Minister? May I inform the people of Balbriggan that the criteria that operated in 1989 will operate in 1994?
The Deputy misunderstands what I am saying. I have responsibility for the partnership companies in the 33 designated areas and the Minister for Enterprise and Employment has responsibility in other areas. The European approach to this matter has changed a lot and programmes now in operation which did not exist in 1989 have brought about many of the criteria we are talking about. Specific criteria are used to decide the areas that are most disadvantaged — I am not saying that other areas are not disadvantaged. The criteria taken into account are the unemployment rate, the labour force participation rate, the percentage of early school leavers, the percentage of unskilled manual workers, the age dependency rate and data relating to the percentage of unemployed in local authority rented accommodation. Widespread criteria are used to identify the most disadvantaged areas and we direct resources at those areas with a view to improving the position there.
Will the Taoiseach say how many jobs have been created as a result of the establishment of partnership companies?
If the Deputy puts down that question. I will get the information for her.
Will the data referred to by the Taoiseach in respect of the partnership areas be made generally available? There is a dearth of the data he described for various sections of the community. Perhaps he will indicate where the relevant material may be obtained because I think everybody wishes to examine these issues.
I will request my Department to make that information available. The relevant officer dealing with this matter is Mr. Dermot McCarthy and I will ask him to distribute to all Members of the House the criteria to which I referred and any other relevant information that may be helpful.