John Bruton
Ceist:35 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the programme of work of Minister of State, Deputy Flood, for the remainder of this administration. [5779/98]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Responsibilities.
Since my appointment I have been concentrating on the development of a comprehensive Government strategy on local development, with a particular focus on improving the quality of life of communities characterised by high levels of unemployment. My work programme for the next four years will involve reviewing existing policies and their implementation to develop greater flexibility in the use of resources and to respond more effectively at a practical level to the needs of those areas. Key elements of my work programme will include: overseeing the effective implementation of the Operational Programme for Local, Urban and Rural Development, in conjunction with Area Development Management Ltd., the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, and the EU's URBAN initiative which operates in Ballymun-Finglas-Darndale; West Tallaght-Clondalkin and north Cork city; co-ordinating local development initiatives, through the interdepartmental policy committee on local development, of which I am chairperson; contributing to the preparation of proposals for EU funding for local development post-1999 including proposals for better integration between local development and local government systems nationwide in consultation with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government; promoting the integrated development of the most disadvantaged urban communities by ensuring that their needs are addressed in a co-ordinated way; co-ordinating national drugs policy and overseeing the operation of the National Drugs Policy Group and the National Drugs Strategy Team.
The interdepartmental committee on local development has been given a specific policy mandate to oversee an integrated services project which aims to produce a model of best practice that can be extended to other deprived urban areas. The pilot project will target four areas within Dublin's north east inner city; The canal communities (Fatima Mansions, St. Teresa's Gardens, St. Michael's Estate, Dolphin House); Jobs-town, Tallaght and Togher, Cork.
I am a member of the Cabinet committee on social inclusion, which is chaired by the Taoiseach and I report to that committee on matters relating to local development, drugs, the integrated services project. I also facilitate the operation of the young people facilities and services fund under the auspices of this Cabinet committee.