Vol. 513 No. 4
49 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the work of the National Millennium Committee; the amount spent by the committee in terms of direct expenditure and grants or payments made to groups or organisations; the amount of funds, if any, unspent; the way in which it is intended to apply these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1436/00]
The National Millennium Committee was set up to advise the Government on projects for inclusion in its millennium programme. A fund of £30 million was allocated to this programme, covering the period 1999 and 2000. Following a national advertising campaign, more than 2,000 proposals have been submitted to the committee for consideration. In the past 12 months the committee has considered the proposals received and has made recommendations on projects to the Government on a regular basis. The recommendations of the committee reflect particular themes, for example, children, youth, and the elderly, the environment and the celebration of Christianity. In addition, the committee has also endeavoured to ensure a wide geographic spread of projects.
To date the millennium committee has made recommendations on projects amounting to nearly £29 million. This figure includes £3 million for 193 locally based projects around the country under the millennium recognition awards, an initiative administered by Area Development Management Limited. It also includes £3 million for 1,959 millennium events awards, administered by local authorities. To date just over £6.4 million has been drawn down in respect of the millennium programme.
The National Millennium Committee is supported by a small millennium office, the operational budget of which is included in the overall millennium fund.
At this stage, millennium funding is virtually fully committed. The National Millennium Committee is now in the process of finalising consideration of outstanding projects with a view to allocating the remaining funds available. The committee is approaching this final task with due regard to ensuring a broad thematic and geographic spread, consistent with its previous recommendations to the Government.
