Written Answers. - Functions Statement.
Liz McManus
Question:
103
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
if the functions statement for his Department has been drawn up; the grant areas for which his Department or agencies operating under it have responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24460/02]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 52 and 58 of 23 October in which I gave the following information.
The following functions have been transferred to my Department from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, under S.I. No. 296 of 18 June 2002, functions in relation to rural development and the Western Development Commission; from the Department of Public Enterprise, under S.I. No. 301 of 18 June 2002, functions in relation to community applications of information technology; from the Department of the Environment and Local Government, under S.I. No. 326 of 25 June 2002, functions in relation to programmes for revitalising areas of planning, investment and development – RAPID – from the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, under S.I. No. 304 of 18 June 2002, functions in relation to local development and national drugs strategy; and from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, under S.I. No. 327 of 25 June 2002, functions in relation to community affairs, under S.I. No. 357 of 10 July 2002 functions in relation to EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland.
In relation to the transfer to my Department of the functions relating to Comhairle and the Combat Poverty Agency, a working group has been established between my Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
In line with the statutory requirements in the Public Service Management Act, 1997, a draft strategy statement for my Department covering the period 2003-2005 is now being finalised for my consideration and approval. I anticipate that this new strategy statement will be published in the new year.
For 2003 the grant areas for which my Department and agencies operating under it will have responsibility are as follows: community and local development community development support programmes, once-off grants to locally based community and family support groups, scheme of community support for older people, grants for training and supports in the community and voluntary sector, grants for federations and networks in the community and voluntary sector community research grant schemes operated by the national advisory committee on drugs, PEACE II operated by Area Development Management Limited and the local development social inclusion programme operated by Area Development Management Limited.
Rural development schemes – CLÁR, rural development fund, Leader, INTERREG, PEACE II operated by Area Development Management Limited and farm relief services.
Gaeltacht and Irish language – Irish language maintenance schemes in the Gaeltacht, Gaeltacht infrastructural improvement schemes, miscellaneous Gaeltacht services, Ciste na Gaeilge, grant to Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge, certain Irish language projects outside the Gaeltacht, industrial development grants made by Údarás na Gaeltachta, grants in support of Irish, Ullans and Ulster Scots and cultural issues made by An Foras Teanga – An Foras Teanga is a North/South body which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch and is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.
Offshore Islands – capital grants for economic and social development on offshore islands and subsidies for operation of ferry-air services
My Department also funds the work of the local drugs task forces and the premises initiative for drugs projects. These plans are assessed by the national drugs strategy team and allocations are ultimately approved by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. The funding for the projects in LDTF areas is channelled through the rel evant Department or State agency. The western investment fund, administered by the Western Development Commission, provides loans and can take equity in companies though it does not actually provide grants.
