Since the establishment of my Department in 2002, our programme expenditure has been concentrated under the broad headings of "An Ghaeilge agus An Ghaeltacht", "Community Affairs", and "Rural Affairs", as indicated in the revised Estimates volume for 2003, which was published recently.
Under "An Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht", expenditure is focused on An Foras Teanga, the North-South language body, the operation of various schemes within the Gaeltacht, the provision of support to Údarás na Gaeltachta and Ciste na Gaeilge, as well as funding towards the improvement of the infrastructure and facilities on inhabited offshore islands.
Expenditure under the heading "Community Affairs" covers the community development support programmes, various local development and voluntary initiatives, the national drugs strategy, the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, youth services and facilities, and Waterways Ireland, the North-South waterways body.