Vol. 529 No. 2
56 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he expects to bring to Government the list of 25 most deprived urban and rural communities which are to be targeted for investment as promised in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2394/01]
Framework III of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contains a commitment to identify the 25 most deprived urban and rural communities to which a range of measures aimed at economic and community development will be delivered under a targeted investment programme. I intend to bring proposals to Government next week regarding the implementation and operation of such a programme, including the list of areas to be targeted for investment.
When replying to a question on the same issue on 16 November, the Minister of State advised the House that the finalised list of areas and the details of the process would be brought to Government before the end of December. I hope he will bring it to Government next week.
PLANET is the partnership network which is vital to the workings of this process. What consultations has the Department had with PLANET? Have its views been sought on how the proposal should be delivered and what role it will play at local level? We all know PLANET has a significant role to play.
The partnerships will be asked to support the process through the community development budget, even though plans have been approved, actions agreed and budgets allocated. Does this not undermine the spirit of partnership? I understand that PLANET has not been consulted. Will the Minister of State consult the partnerships?
Yes, but we are jumping ahead to Question No. 82. Perhaps Questions Nos. 56 and 82 should have been taken together. There was a problem. As part of the process of drawing up a proposal, consultation was undertaken with the social partners. One group within the community and voluntary pillar of the social partners expressed a desire for a more elaborate consultation, decision-making and implementation process.
The proposals brought to Government aim to address these concerns, particularly regarding the involvement of local partnership companies in the delivery structure, while also ensuring that those charged with expenditure and the provision of facilities and services have the scope to act quickly and deliver an accelerated programme of investment in these communities. That is the primary objective of this initiative.
In consultation with all the social partners, the Department has endeavoured to achieve this essential balance between local input into design and identification of priorities and a clear administrative focus on the quick and efficient delivery of investment to address such priorities.
The Minister of State will be bringing proposals to Cabinet so obviously everything is agreed. When does he propose to meet PLANET to discuss the initiative? Has he arrangements to discuss it with local partnership groups?
I met PLANET and other groups in the past ten days during which they set out their concerns. Since then I have received correspondence to the effect that they seem happy with what we are proposing. They had concerns, as outlined by the Deputy, but those concerns are now resolved. The reply to Question No. 82 gives a more detailed response, but we will probably not get to it.
