Vol. 517 No. 2
44 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance when the operational programmes for social inclusion promised in the national development plan will be published and put into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9354/00]
A social inclusion sub-programme will form a major component of each of the two regional operational programmes under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006 NDP. These operational programmes are currently being drafted. Work is well advanced in this regard and I expect that they will be completed shortly. The operational programmes will then be presented for consideration and approval to the relevant regional assembly who are the managing authority for the regional OPs in their area, whereupon, they will be submitted to the EU Commission. Following European Commission approval, the operational programmes will be published.
Almost £840 million will be expended in the southern and eastern region and £220 million in the Border, midland and western region under the social inclusion sub-programmes on measures such as child care equality, community development and family support, crime prevention, youth services and services to the unemployed, which will make a significant contribution to the alleviation of the effects of social exclusion in economically depressed urban and rural areas.
Pending formal approval of the regional operational programmes, measures in the social inclusion sub-programme are currently being implemented.
