Vol. 526 No. 2
28 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to speed up the drawing down of funds under the social inclusion and child care sub-programme of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25970/00]
Under the social inclusion and child care sub-programme of the national development plan, for the period 2000-2006, a sum of £370 million has been allocated to the local development measure, the measure for which my Department has responsibility, to combat social exclusion and drug abuse.
Of this allocation, £12.5 million has been advanced so far this year to Area Development Management Limited to meet expenditure incurred in the local action plans of the partnerships and community groups. I understand from ADM that, at present, 44 of the 71 action plans have been approved by it and funds amounting to approximately £77 million have been allocated to cover the period 2000-2003. ADM expects that all plans will be approved by 31 December 2000 and that it will draw down approximately £19.4 million for the year 2000.
Under the drugs initiative, an amount of £10.4 million has been drawn down to date in 2000. This amount relates to expenditure under the existing local drugs task force plans. The task forces are currently finalising updated plans for assessment by the national drugs strategy team. To date, five plans have been submitted already with the remaining nine expected over the coming months. It may be anticipated that drawdown on the new plans will commence early in 2001.
Question No. 29 taken with Question No. 9.
