Brian Hayes
Question:142 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the five local authorities selected to pilot new social inclusion units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26886/01]
Written Answers. - Social Inclusion Units.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness includes a commitment that five local authorities would establish social inclusion units. In the event, I have decided that each of the local authorities involved in strand I of the Programme for Re-vitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development, RAPID programme, which focuses on disadvantage in urban areas, should have such units. This means that eight new units are being established, Dublin Corporation already having such a unit in place. The nine local authorities involved are as follows: Cork Corporation, Dublin Corporation, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Limerick Corporation, Louth County Council, South Dublin County Council, Waterford Corporation and Wicklow County Council.
I have also decided to provide funding totalling £0.9 million per annum over a three year period to the nine local authorities concerned to support the work of these units. Recruitment of staff has commenced for all new units and it is expected that they will be in place by the end of this year or early 2002.