Over the six year period of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, my Department will have some £400 million available to it under the social inclusion sub-programme of the two regional operational programmes, which are currently being finalised by the Department of Finance.
To date, an amount of £1 million has been drawn down by my Department from the funds allocated under this aspect of the national development plan. This money has been provided, with the approval of the Department of Finance to facilitate the smooth transition from the operational programme for local, urban and rural development to the new regional programmes as is outlined in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.