Vol. 560 No. 1
964 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if money has been set aside in 2003 for South East Galway Community Development Project (Na Calai); if so, when this grant will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2145/03]
My Department was established to produce a more co-ordinated engagement by the State with communities around the country, as they pursue their own development. As a first step towards this goal, a review is being undertaken of the programmes and activities which come within the remit of my Department, with a view to achieving optimal coherence across the various schemes and maximising the effectiveness of the programmes for local communities. This process will shape the future development of the Department's programmes, including the community development support programme.
In the context of a tighter economic situation generally, the level of funding allocated to the community development support programmes for 2003 has been reduced by comparison with 2002. This allocation will enable my Department to meet its current core commitments to existing community development projects in 2003. The reduced allocation may mean that we are not in a position to progress the expansion of the community development support programme at the same pace as we have done in previous years. The question therefore of providing funding to new groups, including those in the western region, will be considered in the context of existing commitments and the available resources.
965 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason funding under the national lottery grants was not allocated to the funding scheme to support the role of federations and networks in the community and voluntary sector in 2002; if as a result, increased funding will be allocated in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2167/03]
The funding scheme to support the role of federations and networks in the community and voluntary sector is one of a number of measures introduced by the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity with the objective of supporting and developing the sector. The scheme attracted 152 applications which required detailed examination and assessment which was carried out with the assistance of the White Paper's implementation and advisory group. The group, which consists of both statutory and voluntary representatives, is tasked with advising on the implementation of the recommendations in the White Paper. A number of issues arose in the course of processing the applications received under this scheme which it was considered could give rise to legal challenge. To ensure that eventual funding decisions would command full public confidence it was considered necessary to re-advertise the scheme and to seek fresh applications. My Department is making the necessary arrangements for the re-advertisement of the scheme in the coming weeks.
Provision has been made in the Estimates for my Department in 2003 for more than €100 million for community affairs including €29.538 million for community and voluntary services. In relation to the scheme for federations and networks in the community and voluntary sector, funding will be available for this scheme in 2003 but at a reduced level. The reduction in 2003 reflects the tight estimate provision across Departments in response to the overall Government financial position. The Government remains fully committed to the principles and features outlined in the White Paper including the support of federations, networks, and umbrella bodies in the sector.
