Written Answers. - Area Partnership Objectives.
Seán Haughey
Question:
40
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Taoiseach
the aims and objectives of the 12 Area Partnerships set up under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; the services provided; the persons eligible for these services; and if he will make a map available of the new boundaries for the Coolock/ Darndale/Kilbarrck Area Partnership.
[7295/95]
I take it that the information being sought relates to the partnership companies in the designated disadvantaged areas under Sub-Programme 2 of the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development. The operational programme was published on 2 February, 1995 and copies of the operational programme have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The experience of the Area Based Initiative where the focus was on the long term unemployed was instrumental in the decision to have the targeting of disadvantaged areas as a major component of the programme but partnerships' remit under the operational programme is broader and aimed at disadvantaged, marginalised or socially excluded communities or groups.
The task of the partnership is to prepare a local development plan and then work towards having that plan implemented. The plan must reflect the objectives of the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development. The specific objectives to be encompassed as appropriate in local development plans are as follows:
—to provide a range of support measures for the creation and development of local enterprise and employment, including measures to maximise the effectiveness of the support available under existing State services and the Community Support Framework 1994-99;
—to improve the potential of the unemployed and especially the long term unemployed and socially-excluded communities to gain employment in the economy generally and specifically in their own areas;
— to provide a structured programme of advice and support in career planning for those who are long term unemployed;
—to create specific training, education, employment and work experience opportunities for the long term unemployed which will promote their integration into the labour market and will concurrently contribute to local and community development;
—to provide additional supports to facilitate participation in and benefit from education including at primary level, for those at risk of early school leaving and under-achievement leading to exclusion;
—to enhance the capacity of local communities, particularly in areas of economic marginalisation and depopulation, to participate fully in local development and to counter social exclusion;
—to improve the physical environment and to upgrade local infrastructure and services.
The objective is that measures initiated by the partnerships would complement mainstream programmes. Activities which are eligible for funding under the operational programme are:
—activities to support enterprise creation and development;
—environmental and infrastructural works;
—transport services to isolated communities;
—activities to support education and training;
—services for the unemployed;
— community development.
Persons eligible for these services are those likely to benefit from any programme introduced to meet the objectives of the programme. In addition assistance can be targeted at specific groups who suffer a higher level of disadvantage than the community generally. These will include high risk youth, the homeless, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged women.
The boundaries of the designated areas in Dublin were announced by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Local Development on 14 March, 1995. The Coolock/Darndale/Kilbarrack area comprises the following DEDs. Harmonstown A, B, Kilmore A, B, C, D, Priorswood A, B, C, D, E, Ayrfield, Grange A, B, C, D, E, Clontarf West A, B, Edenmore, Raheny — Greendale, Raheny — Foxfield, N.E. Grace Park, N. Raheny — St. Assam, Clontarf East, to Howth Road, Clontarf East A, north of All Saints Road, Sutton, Baldoyle in County Dublin — Fingal.
A map has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
