Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - Educational Projects.

Seán Haughey

Question:

199 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the funding for the Northside Partnership, Coolock, Dublin 17, to allow it expand and develop its third level support programme for students from disadvantaged backgrounds; if this can be done through the Millennium Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14861/02]

Richard Bruton

Question:

241 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the growing demand among disadvantaged young people in the Northside Partnership area to participate in their third level support programme; and if their budget of ?101,000 in 2001-02 will be substantially increased for 2002-03. [14579/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 241 together.

A new millennium partnership fund for disadvantage was introduced with effect from 2001, with a provision of €1.2697 million, £1 million The fund provides assistance to partnership companies and community groups to develop their support schemes for students from disadvantaged families. The fund is intended to build on the experience of the support scheme for students from disadvantaged families, operated by the Northside Partnership, which assists students to participate in higher education.

Area Development Management (ADM) Ltd, under whose aegis the partnerships operate, accepted my Department's request that it would administer the fund for the 2001-02 academic year. The total allocation for the 2001-02 academic year was €1.2 million with 37 partnerships and community groups receiving allocations. Northside Partnership received a direct allocation from my Department of €101,579 for the 2001-02 academic year. My Department had an agreement with the partnership to provide funding in 1999, 2000 and 2001. With regard to the 2002-03 academic year, Northside Partnership may apply for funding directly from the millennium partnership fund. The partnerships and community groups will be invited to submit applications for funding from the 2002 fund and decisions on allocations will be finalised in due course. My Department is considering a report from ADM on the operation of the fund during 2001-02.