Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017
536. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the statutory review of the disbursement scheme for the Dormant Accounts Fund due in December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43622/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Fund provides for the preparation of a three-year Disbursement Scheme which sets out the guiding principles for disbursements from the Fund to support programmes and projects targeting specified categories of disadvantaged people.
The legislation also provides that a review should be carried out within 3 years of the first scheme taking effect, and at least once in every three years thereafter. The first Disbursement Scheme covered the period 2013 to 2016.
The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which had responsibility for the Dormant Accounts schemes at the time, initiated a review of the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme in November 2016, with a view to preparing a new three-year scheme. In reviewing the Scheme, the Department consulted with relevant Government Departments and asked them to examine the previous scheme and to submit any proposals for amendments to the new scheme.
A new three-year Disbursement Scheme, covering the period 2017-2019 inclusive, was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 8 May 2017.
Notwithstanding the work carried out in the preparation of the new scheme, I can confirm that my Department intends to examine all aspects of the administration of the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Scheme as part of its forthcoming work programme, including a further review of the effectiveness of the 2013-2016 Scheme.
