Vol. 569 No. 4
291 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which expenditure under the various schemes currently operated by his Department matches spending under such schemes when operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18110/03]
Three schemes relating to community development were transferred in the manner referred to by the Deputy, the community development support programmes (CDSPs); the scheme of once-off grants; and the scheme of community support for older people.
The CDSPs provide financial assistance to locally based groups involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives in their communities towards the staffing and equipping of community resource centres and other specialised projects and initiatives. Some €21.3 million has been provided this year, compared with an outturn of some €22.5 million in 2002, to meet my Department's commitments under those programmes.
My Department is also responsible for the operation of a scheme of once-off grants, which benefits voluntary and community groups which focus on tackling poverty and disadvantage and work from community development principles. The sum of €2.356 million is provided in this year's Estimates to operate that scheme, compared with an outturn of some €2.662 million in 2002, which is being advertised in the national and local media from today. My Department also operates the scheme of community support for older people, and €3.444 million has been allocated to it in 2003, compared with an outturn of some €2.69 million in 2002.
The Deputy will be aware that two other schemes, the grant scheme for national federations and representative bodies in the voluntary sector, 2003 provision: €1.827 million, and the grant scheme for training and supports in the community and voluntary sector, 2003 provision: €600,000, which had been established but had not yet become operational, have also been transferred to my Department. I look forward to allocating that funding at the end of July. In general, I can assure the Deputy that the allocations made in the current year will be sufficient to meet the obligations arising from the schemes outlined above.
292 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which the budget for his Department in 2003 has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18111/03]
My Department's gross allocation for 2003 is €282.061 million. Gross expenditure to 31 May 2003 totalled €89.606 million, €27.167 million capital and €62.439 million current. That represents 32% of our overall allocation and is in line with our profiled expenditure for the year.
