Vol. 476 No. 6
51 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that Area Development Management and Combat Poverty operating independently of other agencies is the best way forward to ensure maximum economic and social development in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4973/97]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the role being played by Area Development Management (ADM) Ltd. and Combat Proverty Agency (CPA) in relation to the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. ADM and CPA are responsible for local delivery of many of the measures under the programme.
The Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Social Welfare are responsible for ADM and Combat Poverty respectively, and are represented on the boards of those bodies. The Departments are satisfied that the joint management committee set up by ADM and CPA is the most appropriate mechanism for delivery of the programme, having regard to its specific social exclusion focus and the Commission's requirements that the bulk of the programme be delivered by independent intermediaries.
It is not accepted that the two agencies operate independently of other agencies: the implementation of the measures for which ADM and CPA are responsible is supported by a broadly based consultative structure involving relevant Governments and other statutory agencies as well as the community and voluntary and community sector.
