I propose to answer Questions Nos. 254 and 265 together.
A total of £9.53 million has been allocated to my Department from the national lottery surplus for amenity projects, the public library service, and projects associated with the Dublin Millennium. Payments by my Department for eligible projects amounted to £2,395, 108 at 30 September 1988 leaving a balance of £7,134,892 which it is anticipated will be spent by the end of the year
The conditions relating to the payment of the community amenity project grants scheme are set out in the Minister for Finance's reply to Question No. 4 of 18 May 1988. In the case of the public library service, payments are made by my Department in arrears on foot of approved expenditure by local authorities on the provision and leasing of libraries and associated loan charges. The conditions applying to these payments are broadly similar to those applying to other capital and current service provided by local authorities and funded from my Department's Vote.
In the case of projects associated with the Dublin Millennium, the grant from the lottery surplus has been allocated by the Department to the Dublin Millennium Company (Dublin Promotions Organisation Ltd.) in accordance with the following conditions:
Details of the projects for which an allocation is sought must be submitted to the Department by the company for general approval prior to any issue of funds. Issues to the Millennium Company are restricted to costs associated with the specific projects approved by the Department.
At the start of each quarter a certificate must be forwarded to the Department showing the amount of expenditure the Millennium Company expects will be incurred in that quarter on approved projects. The company must submit a written request to the Department specifying the projects and purposes for which the money is required. Evidence of board approval for expenditure is required.
The grant is paid on a phased basis as required to the Millennium Company who are responsible for the subsequent expenditure, including the duty of ensuring adequate control and accountability by the recipients.
Separate accounts must be maintained and audited separately for the expenditure of the £700,000 grant by the company. A copy of the audited accounts must be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in 1989 and in any event before 31st March, 1989.
The accounts of the Millennium Company must be made available, if required, for examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
All publicity in connection with the individual projects is to display an acknowledgement that the project has been assisted by the national lottery. The National Lottery Company must be consulted about the form of such acknowledgements.
