Vol. 565 No. 3
423 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will reconsider the proposed reductions in the local development social inclusion programme in view of the fact that this programme is a vital support to communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/03]
439 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reductions which have taken place in the funding for each of the 38 area partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11076/03]
440 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which a 6% budget cut has led to a 20% cut in funding under the social inclusion programme to partnership companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11147/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 423, 439 and 440 together.
The Deputies will be aware that ADM manages the local development social inclusion programme on behalf of my Department. Allocations from within the budget available for the programme in 2003 were recently agreed by the board of ADM and notified to each partnership and community group.
As the Deputies will appreciate, ADM must manage the programme from within the budget available in my Department's Vote. Reductions in available funding for 2003 are being managed on a sliding scale, ranging from 4% to 7%, depending on the annual budget of the partnership or community group. I am working with ADM and the partnerships to minimise as far as possible the impact of the reduction in funding this year.
