James Leonard
Ceist:7 Mr. Leonard asked the Taoiseach when the ADM Partnerships will be set up in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [6180/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Partnership Boards.
The structures for the partnerships in County Cavan and County Monaghan were approved by me in January 1996. Nominations for membership of the partnership boards have been sought from the State agencies, the social partners and the community and voluntary sector. Nominations from these sectors are currently being completed. The inaugural meeting for the Monaghan Partnership Board has been set for 18 April 1996. It is likely that the first board meeting for the Cavan Partnership will also be held during April.
During the past number of months 38 boards have been set up, 34 of which have had their inaugural meetings. Some 18 months ago when the peace initiative was introduced, EU officials asked that programmes be refocused and that the Border region get specific recognition. Why is it that counties Cavan and Monaghan are the last two areas where partnership boards are being set up? A month ago, I outlined to the Taoiseach a number of initiatives where projects were approved all over the country but were not approved in the Border region.
The setting up of the partnership boards awaited the completion of the structures for Leader II in May 1995. The Leader companies were given the opportunity to take on the local development programme if they wished. In counties Cavan and Monaghan it was considered better to do it separately. The Taoiseach has already announced the appointment of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, to review existing arrangements in order to ensure that the funds for the development of the Border region are maximised for the benefit of those regions. That is a welcome development.
Will the ADM-combat poverty office in Monaghan administer the ADM partnerships?
ADM, together with the combat poverty agency, is the intermediary for a number of programmes under the peace and reconciliation initiative. ADM is an independent intermediary. I am not certain if the partnership will be administered from that office but I will obtain the information for the Deputy.
I advise the House that we shall be proceeding to deal with priority questions at 3.30 p.m.