Written Answers. - Local Government Fund.
524.
Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made regarding the creation under the local government fund and new community facilities fund, which will support the development of community facilities not covered by existing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23321/03]
Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern): For the sake of clarification, I should point out that the reference to this matter in my Department's strategy statement is in the context of a list of actions in An Agreed Programme for Government, for implementation by my Department, or to which it will be a significant contributor or have a material interest.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the local government fund does not come within the remit of my Department and action within that framework on the creation of a new community facilities fund would in the first instance be a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.