Vol. 528 No. 2
181 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the amount of extra funding that will be allocated to the Combat Poverty Agency and Comhairle arising from the Budget proposals; the way in which this provision compares to the amount sought by these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30033/00]
A total of £2,540,000 was allocated to the Combat Poverty Agency in 2000. The sum of £3,225,000 has been provided in the pre-budget estimates for 2001 and an additional £100,000 has been provided in the budget giving a total allocation of £3,325,000 for 2001.
This represents an increase of £785,000 over the 2000 allocation.
The Combat Poverty Agency requested a total allocation of £3,846,821.
The increase of £785,000 over the 2000 allocation provides for the implementation of the commitment contained in the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness and the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity to increase the number of national anti-poverty networks. It also provides for increased pay costs arising under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
The £100,000 specifically allocated in the budget provides for management of the expansion of the number of anti-poverty; networks from seven to ten and the roll-out out of the NAPS to local authorities and the local anti-poverty learning networks.
A total of £8,750,000 was provided in the pre-budget estimates to meet the operating costs of Comhairle for the full year 2001. It was estimated that further proposals submitted by Comhairle would give rise to additional costs in the region of £1,560,000.
Following detailed discussions with Comhairle, an additional allocation of £1,000,000 has been provided in the budget.
Questions Nos. 182 and 183 taken with Question No. 30.
