Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
1282 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the future and funding of community development programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22528/04]
View answerUnder Partnership 2000 the Government committed to identifying 30 priority areas for inclusion in the community development programme. Fifteen of these priority areas were funded in 2003. A further 15 pre-development projects have been approved in principle for inclusion in the community development programme. €500,000 has been set aside to fund these projects this year.
The Government recognises that local and community development measures are contributing significantly to tackling a range of challenges at local and community level. However, the number and complexity of structures involved in the delivery of these programmes is very extensive. With this in mind, a review of the structures employed in the delivery of local and community development programmes has been undertaken. Arising from the review, the Government has decided that public bodies and Departments should look to existing structures for delivery of new local or community development initiatives. In this regard, the Government also decided that any further community development projects established will be on the basis of maximising recourse to existing structures. Of the 15 pre-development projects included in the programme, 12 have submitted work plans. My Department is currently working with these projects to determine how best they can be brought on stream in 2004, in a way which maximises recourse to existing structures.
With regard to the funding provided for the administration of the programme, some €20.6 million was allocated to the community development programme in 2004. The amount to be allocated to the programme in 2005 is a matter to be determined in the context of Estimates decisions.
