Vol. 552 No. 1
472 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position regarding funding for the employment of outreach workers under the community development support programme to enhance funding provision to form a rural development partnership in north west Connemara, Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11016/02]
My Department operates a number of long-term funding programmes, the purpose of which is to provide core funding for groups involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives in their communities. The funding provided for the community development support programmes in 2002 amounts to some €27.65 million. In general, core funding provided under my Department's community development support programmes provides for the employment of a maximum of two full-time staff equivalent, together with the administration and general operating costs of the project. In the 1998 budget, an allocation of £300,000, €380,921, was made available for projects funded under the community development programme, specifically to apply for additional time limited funding for work. This was usually to cover the employment costs of a worker necessary to the effectiveness of the programme but not otherwise resourced at that time. This enhanced funding scheme operated from 1998 to 2000 during which time a total of €4.475 million, including commitments for 2001 to 2002 has been committed to projects. Funding for an outreach worker was approved for a forum in 2000 for three years and the enhanced funding commitment does not expire until 2003. I assure the Deputy that this commitment will be met.
Pending a review, no new applications for funding or applications for continued funding of existing posts under the enhanced funding scheme were invited in 2001. This review has been completed and is currently under consideration by my Department. While a decision regarding the future operation of the scheme has yet to be determined, I emphasise again that all existing funding commitments will be honoured.
Question No. 473 answered with Question No. 471.
