20 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will give an update on the establishment of the four pilot projects on social disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/98]
Written Answers. - Social Disadvantage.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:36 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the four pilot programmes on social disadvantage announced in the budget. [15143/98]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:39 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the report, if any, completed on the worst estates in the country using an index of deprivation so that an integrated and sustained approach can be adopted to improve this situation. [13857/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 36 and 39 together.
One of the Government's key priorities is to ensure a more focused and better co-ordinated response by the statutory authorities in addressing the needs of severely disadvantaged urban communities. To that end, the interdepartmental committee on local development, which I chair, has been given a 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: Dublin's north-east inner city; the canal communities of Fatima Mansions, St. Teresa's Gardens, St. Michael's House and Dolphin House; Jobstown, Tallaght and Togher, Cork. The initial stage of the project involves consultation with local communities about the needs of their areas culminating in area reports profiling existing services and resources; identifying the extent of integration between them and devising a framework to enhance co-ordination and integration of efforts.