Vol. 464 No. 4
4 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Taoiseach if a regional development policy will be part of the action plan of the Western Development Partnership Board; the projected number of new jobs necessary to sustain that policy; and when the action plan will be published. [8171/96]
An action plan for the western region has been completed by the Western Development Partnership Board. The objective of the plan is to achieve, by the end of the decade, population stability on a county by county basis at 1991 census levels.
The plan is comprehensive and its proposals broad ranging. Preparations to present the plan to the Government for consideration are at an advanced stage. Following consideration by the Cabinet, the plan will be published.
At this stage, prior to the Government having had an opportunity to consider fully the proposals within the plan, it would be entirely inappropriate to discuss its contents.
Will the Taoiseach indicate the reasons for the delay in the Cabinet concluding its deliberations on the plan? It has been with the Government for some months, but a decision has not been made on it. Will the Taoiseach indicate the amount allocated to the Western Partnership Board for 1996?
The plan is currently under consideration by the Cabinet.
It has been with the Government for months, what is the delay in publishing it?
It will be the subject of an announcement when the Government has considered it. I expect all the relevant observations from other Departments to be available by next Friday and that the report, and accompanying recommendations, will be put before Cabinet shortly afterwards.
The details of the financial provisions might be the subject of separate questions. I am answering questions about the report.
The Taoiseach indicated that he expects to receive the observations of Departments by next Friday. When does he anticipate a conclusion to be arrived at and an announcement made? Will he place a copy of the report in the Dáil Library to give Oireachtas Members for the western region an opportunity to peruse it? With his officials, he has had it for months. We would also like to see it.
As soon as the report is approved for publication by the Cabinet——
It is not a private document.
——not alone will copies be placed in the Oireachtas Library, but made available to each Deputy.
We now proceed to questions nominated for priority to which a time limit applies.
