Pat Breen
Ceist:388 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when East Clare Community Support Group will be offered its contract for community funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26663/02]
Written Answers. - Community Development.
As a result of the pro-active targeting exercise undertaken by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, the east Clare area was identified as a priority area for inclusion in the community development support programmes.
The regional support agency with responsibility for the mid-west, Mid-West Regional Support Agency, undertook the necessary pre-development work and set up a management committee representative of the target groups in the area. It facilitated the management committee in drawing up a three-year work plan which has now been submitted to my Department.
The Deputy will be aware that there has been a reduction in the allocation of resources to the community development support programmes in the Estimates for 2003. Given the tighter economic situation, we may not be in a position to progress the expansion of the community development projects at the same pace as we have done in previous years. In that context, it will be necessary to identify the priorities governing the allocation of funding to groups under the community development support programme. This process is currently at an early stage. Officials from my Department will be in contact with the project to inform it of the outcome of its application as soon as that process is complete.