I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006 constituted a programme setting out the Government's broad strategic response to the State's economic and social development needs for the seven-year period in question, and that it did not set out specific project commitments.
My Department was involved in four Operational Programmes under the NDP 2000-2006, as follows:
the Productive Sector Operational Programme;
the Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme;
the Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme; and
the Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme.
Assistance was provided under these Programmes across a range of measures in relation to
the Gaeltacht, in terms of finance for industry, building construction, sectoral training, road improvements and harbour improvements;
urban and village renewal;
inland waterways development;
rural development, in the context of the Area Based Rural Development Initiative, the Rural Development Fund, Farm Relief Services and the Western Development Fund;
the development of disadvantaged communities through the Community Development Programme;
the promotion of local action plans to promote social inclusion under the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme; and
the National Drugs Strategy.
While my Department had no direct responsibility for any major infrastructural investments or projects in Co. Wexford under the NDP 2000-2006, funding has been made available to local groups in the county during the period of the National Development Plan under a number of programmes operated in the Southern & Eastern Region by my Department, including:
€13.15m under the Local Development and Social Inclusion Programme provided to the Wexford Area Partnership (€5.684m) and Wexford County Partnership (€7.466m).
€1.208m under the National Rural Development Programme to the Wexford Organisation for Rural Development.
€4.031m under the Community Development Programme to six groups in Co. Wexford ACCESS 2000 Wexford (€0.668m), FAB Coolcotts (€0.758m), New Ross CDP (€0.466m), South West Wexford CDP (€0.994m), Templeshannon CDP (€0.857m), and Wolfe Tone Women's Group (€0.290m).
The Deputy will appreciate that, due to the diverse nature of the projects supported under these programmes, it would not be possible, in the time available, to provide details in respect of individual projects. If the Deputy has specific queries in relation to any particular case, however, I will be happy to arrange for relevant information to be provided to him.