Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (41, 42)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has utilised funds from the dormant accounts fund to assist urban or rural community groups in the fight against drugs; if he intends to take further significant initiatives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27945/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John McGuinness

Ceist:

267 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board has further funds to allocate; if new applications will be invited from interested groups; if so, when; the criteria used to assess applications and disburse the funds; the reason certain counties that submitted applications received no funding; if he intends to change the process for future allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28120/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 267 together.

Decisions on the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts moneys are a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. The board has engaged Area Development Management Limited, ADM, to administer this initial round of funding on its behalf and the process of assessing and approving applications received is ongoing. The Government announced in June 2004 an increase in the overall amount that the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board may spend from €30 million to €60 million under the initial round of funding. To date, the board has approved 318 projects for funding totalling approximately €30 million. Over the coming months, further allocations will be made by the board up to a total figure of €60 million.

The bulk of dormant accounts funding is initially being targeted at areas designated as disadvantaged, that is, RAPID, CLÁR and drugs task force areas. Within those parameters, it is anticipated that a balanced regional distribution of funding will be achieved when the board has allocated the full amount available for disbursement under this round of funding. The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 was published on 24 June 2004 fulfilling a commitment given by Government in December last following its review of arrangements in relation to dormant accounts funding. The Bill proposes key changes to the role of the board and in relation to decision making on disbursements. The Bill is before the Oireachtas. Subject to its enactment, a further round of applications for funding may be anticipated during 2005.

Barr
Roinn