Community Development.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2009

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Ceisteanna (468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473)

Seán Connick

Ceist:

519 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the services provided by a day care centre for elderly people (details supplied) in County Wexford for 2009 are dependent on being awarded grant aid under the community services programme; if this group will be awarded the grant aid requested under the community services programme in 2009; the other possible sources of grant aid for this day care centre that may be available in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15087/09]

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

528 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received an application for funding under the community services programme from a group (details supplied) in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that €40,000 is required in order to continue this service for 2009; if he will ensure that funding to enable this service to continue is made available to the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15456/09]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 528 together.

An application from the organisation referred to in the Deputies' questions was received under the 2008 call for applications under the community services strand of the community services programme. The assessment of this application has been completed and the applicant has been informed of the outcome. In light of the current economic situation, my Department is not in a position to provide funds to enable this organisation to move to the next stage of the development of their project. Funding for the programme for future years will fall for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates process for my Department.

Mary White

Ceist:

520 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Pobal, a body set up to aid community interests, has withdrawn its contract from a partnership (details supplied) and will cease funding this partnership, which represents Dublin 12, containing five of the most disadvantaged areas in Dublin. [15089/09]

Mary White

Ceist:

521 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only after workers at a partnership (details supplied) received protective notice did Pobal reveal that there was an appeals procedure and that there is no documented appeals procedure within Pobal’s operational guidelines. [15090/09]

Mary White

Ceist:

522 Deputy Mary Alexandra White asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the way the local community will be supported in the absence of a partnership (details supplied). [15091/09]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy John Curran)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 to 522, inclusive, together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 98 on 9 April last.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

523 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he had a meeting (details supplied) with representatives of Dublin City Council regarding the extension of the south east inner city RAPID area to include contingent wards which are socially disadvantaged; his views on whether the extra area and population should be included in the RAPID area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/09]

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

I can confirm that I had a meeting with representatives of Dublin City Council as outlined in the Deputy's question. In terms of reviewing the RAPID programme, my attention at present is focused on an analysis of recent Census data with a view to ensuring that the boundaries of existing RAPID areas are appropriate. I hope to be able to make an announcement in relation to this matter shortly.