Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 2

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

82 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns expressed by PLANET, the representative body for partnerships, and the Community Pillar regarding Government proposals under the Targeted Investment in Disadvantaged Areas; the proposals there are to involve the partnerships in the process; the consultation that has been held or is planned with the partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2405/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Mr. E. Ryan)

Framework III of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contains a commitment to identify the 25 most deprived urban and rural communities to which will be delivered, under a targeted investment programme, a range of measures aimed at economic and community development.

A proposal will shortly be made to Government regarding implementation and operation of such a programme. Consultation was undertaken with the social partners on drawing up this proposal. A 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 which I will now bring to Government aim to address their concerns, particularly with regard to involvement of local partnership companies. These proposals also aim to ensure that those charged with actual expenditure, and provision of facilities and services, have the scope to act quickly and deliver an accelerated programme of investment to these communities, which is the primary objective of this initiative. In consultation with the social partners, the Department has endeavoured to achieve the essential balance between local input into programme design and identification of priorities, and securing a clear administrative focus on the quick and efficient delivery of investment to address such priorities.

Implementation of the targeted investment in disadvantaged areas programme will involve a structure which will include agencies currently responsible at local level for delivery of aspects of social policy, and provision for full consultation with local communities. I believe this structure will secure delivery of an effective and efficient investment programme which will be in keeping with Government policy in relation to preparation and implementation of a strategy for economic, social and cultural development at local level by the city and county development boards.

Question No. 83 answered with Question No. 65.