Bernard J. Durkan
Question:105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the sectors and regions to which it is proposed to award grants in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14455/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.
On foot of information provided to him in response to previous parliamentary questions the Deputy will be aware that my Department is responsible for a wide range of schemes relating primarily to the support of community and voluntary activity, particularly among disadvantaged communities, throughout the entire country.
Decisions to award grants are made on a continual basis on foot of the consideration of applications received. The advertising of grant schemes and the announcements of awards are publicised through a variety of media including my Departments website www.pobail.ie. Details of the various schemes are provided as follows:
My Department supports local self-help and community development initiatives targeted at disadvantaged communities nationwide, in recognition of the role that voluntary groups have in facilitating local communities to address the problems facing them. This support is made available through a range of grant schemes.
The scheme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations provides funding towards training and education initiatives, self-help and personal development programmes, the renovation or acquisition of premises, the purchase of equipment or transport, once-off publications or research or other special projects. The scheme of community support to older people provides funding for initiatives to improve the security and support of vulnerable older people.
On an ongoing basis, my Department also supports 155 locally-based projects nationwide, which are involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives in their communities. This support is provided by way of funding through the community development support pro grammes and the funding is targeted specifically at disadvantaged communities.
The Department recently appointed consultants to carry out an assessment of applications under the scheme of grants for training and supports in the community and voluntary sector and under the funding scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector. It is expected that these assessments will be completed in the coming months. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application shortly thereafter.
In addition to the above schemes that operate to the benefit of all regions of the country my Department also oversees a number of schemes that operate on a restricted geographical basis. These include measures under the CLÁR programme which, of course, only apply to the specified CLÁR areas. These have recently been expanded to cover parts of 18 counties. These measures support physical, community and social infrastructure across a variety of schemes such as electricity conversions, roads, water and sewerage, village enhancement, health and sports projects. Support for rural development research and pilot projects may be provided from the rural development fund.
My Department has responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the RAPID, revitalising areas by planning, investment and development programme. The programme which is managed by ADM Limited is designed to ensure that 25 urban centres and 20 provincial towns with the greatest concentration of disadvantage receive priority attention for the funding of investment under the national development plan.
My Department also continues to provide grant assistance in Gaeltacht areas towards the improvement of Gaeltacht infrastructure, including housing, roads, marine works, village renewal and various recreational facilities such as community centres, playing fields and other amenities. Grants are provided to Gaeltacht households who accommodate Irish language students and grant assistance is also available under the Irish language speaking scheme. My Department also provides funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta which enables the Údarás to establish and develop job creating industries and services in Gaeltacht regions.
Grants are provided by my Department for economic and social development on offshore islands as well as the subsidising of the operation of ferry-air services.
Funding is provided to a number of Irish language organisations at international, national and local level to foster the use of Irish outside the Gaeltacht. This includes grants paid jointly by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North to An Foras Teanga to foster Irish, Ullans and Ulster Scots cultural issues.
As in previous years, it is proposed to award grants under the various schemes outlined above during 2003.