Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
506 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals to be included in forthcoming legislation to alter the guidelines on the distribution of dormant account funds; if the recommendations of the Dormant Fund Accounts Board will be made public after this legislation is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5585/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that proposals for legislation in regard to dormant accounts are currently being drafted and the general scheme of a Bill has not yet been submitted to Government. The Deputy should note, however, that the guidelines on the distribution of dormant accounts funding as set out in the dormant accounts plan will remain unchanged; and the purposes for which funding will be allocated will remain as specified in existing legislation.
With regard to the forthcoming draft legislation, consistent with the Government's December 2003 decision, I can confirm for the Deputy that the following measures are proposed: a transparent application process; clear published evaluation criteria by which future applications will be assessed; and publication of lists of all successful projects and programmes.
In addition, the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Board will be given key roles, including preparation of future plans, advising annually on priority areas for disbursement and critically assessing the additionality and impact of the spend.
In keeping with the principles of transparency, I anticipate the publication of annual recommendations by the Disbursement Board as to priority areas for funding.
