Decisions on the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts moneys are a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. The board has engaged Area Development Management Limited, ADM, to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf which involves the disbursement of up to €60 million from the fund.
Following an invitation earlier in the year to groups and organisations to make applications for funding, more than 1,600 applications were received by ADM. The process of assessing and approving these applications is ongoing. In this regard, the board has to date approved 318 projects for funding totalling approximately €30 million. Over the coming months, further allocations will be made by the board up to a total figure of €60 million.
I understand an application from the group concerned was received by ADM on 5 March 2004. This application is being evaluated against the criteria set out in the published guidelines. Following this evaluation process, a recommendation will be made to the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board for decision. The group concerned will be advised of the board's decision in due course.