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Community Development.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004

Tuesday, 27 January 2004

Questions (890, 891)

Michael Ring

Question:

1009 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the umbrella organisation Coiste na n-Iarchimí was formed; the breakdown on a yearly basis of the money which has been provided to it; the number of staff it employs; the offices which have been opened; and the amount it is costing on a yearly basis since it was formed. [1440/04]

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Written answers

Coiste na n-larchimí was established in 1998. Under the Peace II Programme, €658,564 has been allocated to Coiste na n-Iarchimí for the ‘Process of Nation Building' programme for the period June 2002 to May 2004. This funding is towards the employment of two research staff, three outreach workers, a project co-ordinator and a financial administrator.

Under the community development programme and the national programme for the re-integration of ex-prisoners, Coiste na n-Iarchimí has been funded to operate a Dublin office since 1999. Since June 2002, my Department has contributed as follows: 2002 —€68,000 core-funding and €25,000 capital grant towards premises renovation; 2003 —€136,000 core-funding; and 2004 —€34,000 interim funding pending negotiation of contract.

Core funding covers the employment of three staff members in addition to administration and overheads costs.

Question No. 1010 answered with Question No. 1007.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1011 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason applications for funding from a group (details supplied) in County Louth, were not granted; and the support or assistance which can be given to them. [1768/04]

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The group referred to by the Deputy has, since 1998, been in receipt of core funding under the community development programme operated by my Department. The core funding provided to projects included in the programme allows for the employment of two full-time staff equivalent, together with the overheads and administration costs of running a resource centre. My Department does not generally provide funding above what is appropriate to meet this staffing norm. Accordingly, projects are expected to draw down additional funding for activities undertaken or services provided from the relevant Department or agency.

The core funding to the group in 2003 amounted to €87,000. The allocation to the group for 2004 is currently being determined.

A limited amount of funding is also set aside each year to enable projects funded under the programme to apply for additional grants towards equipment, refurbishment, premises, education, training, networking and research. Given the limited amount of funding available, it is not always possible to fund every application submitted by projects. In this context, applications for funding in 2003 were asked to prioritise their application(s). The group in question has been successful in securing funding through this once-off grant scheme in previous years and in 2003 I approved a grant of €3,050 towards the cost of running courses in confidence building through creative role play and drama, which the group identified as a priority over all other applications.

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