Vol. 450 No. 8
24 Mr. Leonard asked the Taoiseach when funding will be made available under sub-programme 2 of the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development, 1994 to 1999: and the agency which will administer the scheme. [5461/95]
The Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development was signed on 7 December 1994, but is effective from 1 January 1994.
Sub-programme 2, Integrated Development of Designated Disadvantaged and Other Areas, is administered by Area Development Management (ADM) Ltd., which has direct responsibility for the management of the sub-programme. ADM Ltd., is the independent intermediary company designated by the European Commission and the Government to manage the global grant through which the sub-programme is funded.
Under the sub-programme funding will be available to eligible communities who prepare and submit local development plans which accord with its objectives. Evaluation of the local development plans and the allocation of resources in accordance with that evaluation are the responsibility of ADM Ltd.
Interim funding has been made available to the existing area partnership companies and it is anticipated that commitments of funds for the period up to end 1999 will be made, following appraisal of the local development plans at the end of June.
