Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.

Denis Naughten

Question:

161 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the breakdown on an individual allocation basis, for each of the measures included in his budget Estimates for 2003 under subhead K1 for local development and social inclusion measures; the allocation sought and the cuts made on an individual basis to account for this reduction from ?47.578 million to ?44.9 million, a reduction of 6% for this budget heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3781/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

As the Deputy is aware, there is a provision of €44.9 million in subhead K1 of my Department's Vote which covers (i) allocations to area partnership companies and community groups under the local development social inclusion programme and (ii) support costs associated with the RAPID programme.

Each area partnership and community group has prepared a programme of activities for 2003, which are being considered by Area Development Management (ADM) Limited at present. Once these programmes have been approved, allocations of funding for 2003 will be notified to individual partnerships and community groups. Similarly, allocations of support funding to each of the RAPID areas for 2003 have not yet been finalised.

As regards the reduction of 6% in the subhead for 2003, ADM Limited has begun working with area partnerships and community groups to identify ways of adjusting the programme, to ensure that expenditure remains within available resources.