Pat Rabbitte
Question:24 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the proposals, if any, he has for the future of the partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2743/00]
Written Answers. - Area-Based Partnerships.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:28 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views, if any, on the maintenance of the independence of the partnerships in the context of proposals for the integration of local Government and local development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2744/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 28 together.
Under the new national development plan, more than £400 million has been provided under the regional operational programmes in a special sub-programme for social inclusion. These moneys will be directed at activities to be carried out by the area-based partnership companies and ADM supported community groups, the local drug task forces, and the development groups of the young peoples facilities and services fund.
It is envisaged that in accordance with the recommendations of the interdepartmental task force on the integration of local government and local development systems "one single agency, partnership company, Leader group, or, in Gaeltacht areas, Údarás na Gaeltachta, as the case may be, will be responsible for special nationally promoted integrated local development programmes in each designated disadvantaged area, be they urban or rural". Accordingly, it is foreseen the partnerships, Leader groups and other local agencies will work with the local directors of community and enterprise and with the city-county development boards to bring about an agreed realignment of boundaries and work focus to comply with the recommendations of the task force. It is hoped that the revised structures will be in place by the mid-term review of the programme.
On this basis, partnerships in consultation with ADM have already commenced work on the planning process for the next programme, allowing for harmonisation with city-county development board strategies, when they come on stream.
The regional operational programmes are currently being drafted and it is anticipated that they will be finalised in the first quarter of 2000.