Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.

David Stanton

Question:

225 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Youghal and District Community Development Group is about to close down due to lack of funding and that Cumann na Saoire has not yet received any funding from his Department; if he will make funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4044/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Under Partnership 2000, my Department was committed to identifying 30 priority areas for the expansion of the community development programme. Target areas were identified by undertaking a proactive exercise which involved detailed research in each region.

The proactive targeting exercise identified Youghal as an area in need of assistance under my Department's programmes and the support agency in the southern region, funded under the community development programme, was asked to begin the process of establishing a community development project – CDP – in Youghal. As applications seeking funding had been received from two groups in Youghal, including Youghal and District Community Development Project, the support agency was asked to consult with both groups in the context of establishing the new CDP.

The pre-development work which included consultations with both groups resulted in the formation of a management committee for the CDP to be funded by my Department. This project, now known as Cumann na Daoine, has a management committee which comprises members of both Youghal and District Community Development Project and another community group in the area. The pre-development work with Cumann na Daoine to establish a CDP in Youghal is continuing to progress but is not yet complete. My Department has committed to support Cumann na Daoine as the CDP for the Youghal area and work is ongoing to establish this project. In the circumstances, it is not possible to undertake funding of an additional group in the area.

I understand that the question of funding for Youghal and District Community Development Group under the Leader programme is being progressed separately with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

226 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Seal Sanctuary does not receive any funding from the Government; the plans she has to change this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3895/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The position regarding funding of the Irish Seal Sanctuary by my Department remains as outlined in my reply to Question No. 970 of 30 January 2001.