Edward Nealon
Ceist:59 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount of EC funding allocated in the National Development Plan 1994-1999 to his Department for various projects.
Written Answers. - National Development Plan.
There is no specific allocation to my Department under the National Plan. However, my Department will be closely involved in the implementation of the Local Development Programme which is set out in Chapter 7 of the plan for which an allocation of £100 million has been provided over the period of the plan. This programme builds on the experience of, inter alia, the Community Development Programme which I introduced in 1990 and will provide specific funds for community development activity which will complement and enhance the work undertaken in the Community Development Programme. The Local Development Programme also provides for a range of programmes of work, education and training for the long term unemployed which build on initiatives undertaken in this regard over recent years and which will improve the range of opportunities available to long term unemployed people in disadvantaged areas.