The two existing functions transferred in respect of the Department since the Taoiseach came into office are community employment in designated partnership areas, responsibility for which was transferred to the Department of Enterprise and Employment under a transfer of functions order on 6 February 1996, and access to the offshore islands which is now the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy Carey. Arrangements are being put in place to transfer functions under the Aran Islands Transport Act, 1946, from the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to the Minister of State, Deputy Carey.
In addition, my Department has acquired responsibility for the following new functions: the Devolution Commission for Local Government Reform, established in July 1995; the development of a national anti-poverty strategy, in association with the Department of Social Welfare, in line with the commitment given at the UN Social Summit in Copenhagen; a review of the administration of development programmes in the Border counties, with a view to maximising their effectiveness; and responsibility for co-funding those parts of the EU programme for peace and reconciliation for which ADM has been designated as the intermediary.