Vol. 523 No. 1
955 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the success recorded by the South Dublin Urban Initiative after schools pilot projects in view of the fact that funding for these projects does not extend beyond September 2000; if he will direct that theses projects continue to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20536/00]
As the Deputy will be aware, this URBAN programme provided funding to address in an integrated way, a range of problems associated with socio-economic exclusion within deprived sections of urban areas. As with all EU co-funded programmes, it encompassed very specific timeframes in terms of project approval and drawdown of funding. More importantly, because of the time-specific nature of URBAN, the steering groups that operated the programme were required to ensure that sustainability or mainstreaming capability be vital elements in their project selection criteria.
In relation to the after school projects piloted by South Dublin URBAN Initiative Limited, I understand that two of the projects – Neilstown/Deanrath after school project and the Clondalkin-Tallaght after school project for Traveller Children – have now been approved for future funding by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The two remaining projects – Brookfield after school project and Fettercairn after school project – have recently applied for future funding from that same Department.
