Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Development Funding.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

302 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position in relation to interim payments of funding for an organisation (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4299/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The organisation in question was funded during the period 1996 to 1999 by my Department under the community development programme. Projects in the programme are funded on a three year basis, which is renewable subject to satisfactory performance of the agreed workplan and the continued existence of an effective and appropriate management structure for the project.

During the course of 1998, it became apparent that there are serious internal difficulties in the project, which have had a detrimental effect on its work. Officials of my Department met the management committee on 13 November 1998 and made it clear that these difficulties had to be addressed and resolved by the management committee before a further three year funding commitment could be given to the project. The Department indicated that favourable consideration could be given to making interim funding available for a limited period to allow an independent review of the project to be completed. Draft terms of reference for the review were received from the project on 4 February 1999 and are being examined at present in consultation with the Community Development Programme Support Agency for the North-Western Region. The Department will be in touch with the project in that regard as soon as possible.

The amount of any interim funding will be based on need, having regard to the cash balance on hand in the project's bank account at present.