Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1998

Vol. 489 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

250 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the Tallaght Drugs Task Force regarding the non-payment of approved funding to a number of projects within its area; the reasons for the delays; the steps, if any, he intends to take to expedite payment in view of the fact that some of the projects were approved for funding six months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7248/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Mr. Flood)

I am aware of the difficulties in relation to the draw-down of funding for some of the approved projects in the Tallaght Drugs Task Force plan which are being funded through the County Dublin VEC.

I have taken this matter up with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science and I have been informed that issues in the VEC, which had delayed the processing of the funding, are now being addressed. I understand that, as a result, payments in respect of the outstanding approved task force projects are now being processed by the VEC.