Community Development.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004

Tuesday, 9 March 2004

Ceisteanna (53)

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

126 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether, in the light of a cutback of 17% to Gaeltacht improvement schemes in the Revised Estimates for 2004, that as he stated on the publication of the Estimates for 2004, the money allocated would enable the Department to continue the remarkable work being done on infrastructure in the Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7673/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

A two-year programme of works for 2003-04 under the Gaeltacht capital works programme of my Department was agreed with the relevant local authorities in 2003. While a sum of €10.294 million had been provided in the 2003 Revised Estimates towards this programme, the actual expenditure in 2003 was €11.95 million, which represented a 16% increase on the allocation provided. A total of €9.975 million has been provided in the 2004 Revised Estimates, a reduction of 3.6% on the previous year's Estimate. I am satisfied that this allocation is sufficient, having regard to the fact that the local authorities managed to complete more work during 2003 than anticipated and that the agreed two-year programme is now ahead of schedule.

Question No. 127 answered with QuestionNo. 118.

Question No. 128 answered with QuestionNo. 108.