Vol. 488 No. 2
148 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the specific provision, if any, made under the rules and priorities of the European Regional Development Fund funding to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities; and the action, if any, taken to publicise these rules and priorities. [5895/98]
My Department is approved for European Regional Development Fund funding under the capital programme for vocational training centres as part of the Human Resources Operational Programme 1994-99. The operational programme is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The objective is to provide for and improve the skills levels of people with disabilities to meet their vocational aspirations and the needs of the employment market.
This capital programme provides for an allocation of £33.58 million for vocational training centres for the period 1994-99 of which European Regional Development Fund funding accounts for £18.2 million. Funding under the capital programme is provided for the provision of new replacement training centres and associated support facilities; the upgrading of existing training workshops and support facilities resulting in improved workshop standards and the purchase of new and replacement items of equipment. It is open to all agencies in receipt of European Social Fund funding for the training of people with disabilities under the operational programme to apply for funding from this capital programme.
Each health board established a co-ordinating committee, representative of all training agencies in their area and the National Rehabiliation Board to agree the distribution of the board's allocation from this capital programme, based on the immediate priorities for capital developments in the vocational training field.
