Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Structural Funds.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

44 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the speech on 10 May 1999 at the launch of the Dublin Inner City Partnership two year programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12974/99]

John Bruton

Question:

45 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the speech to the Dublin Inner City Partnership on 10 May last. [12777/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Mr Flood)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

ADM supported area based partnerships have in recent years been developing a new and innovative area based response to the needs of the disadvantaged, both urban and rural. This was strongly evidenced by the launch of Dublin Inner City Partnership two year programme report, which outlines its holistic approach to social inclusion in an urban context.

The European Council recently agreed a funding package of Community support for the 2000-2006 period. While the outcome for Ireland was good given the extreme difficulty of the negotiations, the level of EU Structural Funds available over that period will be approximately half that available to Ireland under the current Community support framework.

Work has already commenced on the process of agreeing priorities for EU co-funding under Ireland's next national development plan and on clarifying the Commission's new procedures for the next round of Structural Funds. There is also a separate national consultation process to be undergone, inclusive of the social partners. Until such time as this overall process is completed, it is difficult to give any indication of likely levels of EU financial commitments and programme support.

It is natural that there will be a degree of uncertainty pending the completion of the national development plan and the position to be taken by the European Commission as to its funding commitments to certain elements of this plan.

The Government is, however, fully committed to the fundamentally important task of tackling social exclusion in deprived areas, and of ensuring that the overall objectives of current programmes remain a priority. Whereas I cannot pre-empt the national development plan, I can say that the Department of Tourism Sport and Recreation has made a comprehensive case for local development in the context of the drafting of the plan.

The report of the task force on the integration of the local government and local development systems clearly also envisages the continuation of area based local development structures within a more sustainable framework.

There are a variety of issues which need to be considered arising from the task force report itself which are, by now, well known to the groups concerned. Issues arising from previous performance, changes in deprivation rankings and the need to ensure that the needs of the real blackspot areas are being addressed are also issues which require consideration when planning for the future.

Copies of recent speeches made by both the Taoiseach and myself at Dublin inner city functions will be made available in the Oireachtas, Library for Deputies' information.