Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
371 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to his recent announcement, if a county (details supplied) is being considered for funding as part of the new streamlined approach to community and local development moneys recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31102/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 186, 194, 198, 218 and 228 on 5 October 2004. As I indicated in that reply, in line with the Government decision on the review of local and community development structures, proposals had been received from all city and county development boards, CDBs. At that stage, the proposals had been assessed by an external consultant engaged by my Department and I had been able to approve proposals from Fingal CDB for funding. Other CDBs had been asked to take a more focused look at their proposals and resubmit them to my Department.
Since that reply, my Department received fresh proposals from most CDBs. These have again been assessed by the external consultant and I am pleased to say that, arising from this process, I have been able to approve funding of €2.9 million for proposals from a wide range of CDBs and from Udarás na Gaeltachta in respect of Gaeltacht areas.
However, arising from the process, I was unable at this stage to commit funding to proposals received from 12 CDBs, including the county referred to by the Deputy. My Department is making arrangements to meet the directors of community and enterprise from each of these CDBs. I hope that the continuation of this engagement between my Department, the CDBs and the local and community development agencies will lead to the development of proposals for which I can provide funding support.
