I propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 570 and 571 together.
The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability. Under the Acts, a three-year Disbursement Scheme is prepared which sets out the priority areas for funding, underpinned by annual Action Plans which outline specific programmes to be funded each year.
The current Disbursement Scheme covering the period 2017-2019 and the previous Disbursement Scheme for 2013-2016 both include a provision to enable the delivery of measures to people who are homeless through the provision of non-accommodation based facilities such as drop-in/day centres. It is a matter for relevant line Departments to develop specific proposals in relation to this objective, for inclusion in the annual Dormant Accounts Action Plan. However, to date, no specific measures addressing this provision have emerged in subsequent Plans.
It would similarly be a matter for the relevant Department sponsoring a specific measure in the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plans to collect data on the implementation of that measure.
Following the transfer to my Department in July 2017 of functions relating to the Dormant Accounts Funds legislation, my Department now coordinates the preparation of the Disbursement Scheme and the Annual Action Plans across Government. The preparation of the 2018 Action Plan has commenced and Minister Kyne recently wrote to each Minister requesting them to identify potential measures within their areas of responsibility for inclusion in the new Plan.
With regard to the review of the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme, the key focus of that review is to address the points raised in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General with regard to the administration of the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme, and to ensure that the significant resources currently available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner. As part of this work, the review will consider whether the current operation of Disbursement Schemes is resulting in any unforeseen barriers to the funding of appropriate measures in any particular policy area across Government.
Questions Nos. 564 to 566, inclusive, answered with Question No. 562.