I propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 215, 216, 217 and 218 together.
The local development social inclusion programme is managed by Area Development Management Ltd., ADM, on behalf of my Department. Following the appraisal of the plans submitted by the groups, funding for programme and administration costs is allocated to community partnerships by ADM, in the context of funding available from my Department each year. As the Deputy will be aware, Government Departments operate on the basis of funds voted annually by the Dáil. It is therefore not possible to enter into multi-annual budgeting arrangements.
While there was a reduction in the funding available for this programme in the last two years, it should be noted that the community partnerships did not experience the full extent of these reductions. In 2003, the community partnerships experienced budget reductions of between 4% and 6%. Allocations for community partnerships for 2004 compared with 2003 were reduced on average by 5%. I wish to again acknowledge the work being done by community partnerships in addressing disadvantage in their areas. There are no formal plans to extend the remit of the programme at this time.