Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 5 together.

In relation to the Deputy's first question, I assume he is referring to the process of cohesion of local delivery structures which my Department has been pursuing in recent years, in order to simplify and enhance the effectiveness of the delivery of a range of local development programmes. In January 2010, the local development social inclusion and community development programmes were superseded by the local and community development programme, LCDP. A key difference between the new programme and its predecessor programmes is that when it is fully implemented it will be delivered through an integrated delivery structure in each of the 52 local development company areas.

In advance of proceeding to establish a single integrated programme, my Department undertook an evaluation of individual community development projects, CDPs, in 2009. The objective of the review was to identify those projects that produce tangible, appropriate benefits for the communities they serve. Following the review process, funding was withdrawn from three CDPs in the north inner city area of Dublin.

More generally, while a national model involving full integration was set out by the Department, it was made clear that other options could be considered once they met a range of criteria including reduced structures, better integrated delivery of services, supporting efficiencies and reducing company law compliance requirements for CDPs, a direction in which many of them wished to go.

In this context, over the past year or so my Department has been progressing the integration of some 140 CDPs, either with the local development companies or through an alternative mechanism. I am pleased to report that this work was largely completed by the end of March 2011. To date, six alternative models have been approved and these include a proposal from the Northside Partnership which involves a reduction in the number of structures from five to two in the catchment area.

The Deputy should also note that three CDPs have formally opted out of the programme and are no longer receiving funding in 2011. These include a project based in Kilbarrack. In such cases, my Department has asked the local development companies, including the Northside Partnership, for proposals to fill any gaps in service provision that are arising. A number of such proposals are currently being examined.

In terms of funding in 2011, Deputies will be interested to note the allocations to the local development companies have been only marginally reduced compared to 2010, by approximately 3%. I am confident that this will allow for the continuation of important support for people in disadvantaged communities and will allow for the key essential front line services, delivered through the programme, to be maintained this year.

In regard to the Deputy's second question, my Department supports and manages a broad range of schemes and programmes across a number of different business areas. These include local and community development, tackling drug misuse, rural development, the Irish language, Gaeltacht and island development, dormant accounts and family support.

In many instances, community groups do not apply directly to my Department for funding, rather they apply to their local Leader or partnership company or drugs task force or, in some instances, to Pobail, which manages a range of schemes on behalf of my Department. Consequently, the Department has been unable in the time available to collate the details sought by the Deputy regarding the number of community groups that applied for funding for the first time in 2011, as opposed to 2010, and how this number compares to previous years.

However, if the Deputy has a specific scheme or programme in mind, I will be happy to ask my Department, or Pobail, as appropriate, to provide him with the relevant information as soon as possible.

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