Bertie Ahern
Question:7 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the agenda for the conference on local development which will be held in Ireland on 11 and 12 November 1996. [19863/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Development Conference.
Bertie Ahern
Question:8 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the conference on local development which was held in Ireland on 11 and 12 November 1996. [21034/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
Copies of the conference programme have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Conference on Local Development addressed two main themes. They were the Irish experience of implementing local development policies and the significant role played by local partnership in social and economic development, and the European dimension, particularly in the light of the commitment to the Essen strategy to tackle the unemployment issue, especially through territorial employment pacts.
The conference allowed participants an opportunity to share their thinking on and experiences of local development strategies and to learn from them. It provided for discussions on the European Commission's proposals for mobilising local interests — local authorities, social partners and communities — through territorial employment pacts, which embody the area partnership approach.
The conference was held in Dublin Castle and was attended by over 300 people. The keynote addresses on Monday evening were delivered by the Taoiseach and President Santer and the discussion over the last two days will have an important input into the work of the December European Council.
Will the Minister of State indicate the budget for local development initiatives? Is he confident local development activities are having an impact in tackling problems of disadvantage and long-term unemployment? Is he satisfied with the progress of those programmes? Is he confident the funding allocated to those projects is used to the best advantage to effectively target the areas and regions most in need?
Deputy Ahern's supplementary questions are covered in Question No. 9 which deals with the projects supported by the Local Development Fund. If the Deputy wishes me to take that question now, I will do so.
I do not want the Deputy to do that.
The questions should be dealt with seriatim in the manner in which they appear on the Order Paper.
I did not ask about matters covered under Question No. 9. What is the allocation from the fund to local development initiatives here? The Minister of State may not have that information.
I have not got that figure but I will supply it to the Deputy.