Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details of the implications of Budget 2011 for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46336/10]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the impending Budget cuts to rural services will lead to isolation in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46337/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 30 together. As Deputy Feighan is aware, in the current economic circumstances we are faced with difficult decisions. The Government has considered several measures in the context of the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Throughout Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible. Taking into account the recent Supplementary Estimate and the full year funding associated with functions transferred into and out of the Department during 2010, gross funding for my Department is reduced by a total of 13% in 2011, current funding by 6% and capital funding by 28%. Within this context, my primary concern is to make every effort to ensure that the daily front line services provided with funding from my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities.

In our current financial circumstances it is clear that objectives must be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money notwithstanding these constraints. Every saving that can be made from cutting back on overheads will be pursued such that the urban, rural, Gaeltacht and island communities we serve retain, to the greatest extent possible, the services that have been developed in partnership with them over the years. Different areas throughout my Department's Vote will experience different levels of adjustment next year. For example, the reduction in current funding proposed under the national drugs strategy for my Department next year will be some 1.2% and I am confident that front line services provided in this area will not be adversely affected.

In terms of rural development, the 2011 proposed allocation will provide for increased investment in the rural economy. Significantly advancing the roll out of the Leader programme will be a key priority for the Department in 2011 and this is reflected in a substantially increased allocation for the programme next year. The programme continues to play a key role in enhancing the economic potential of the rural community and in creating jobs and improving the quality of life in rural areas. Overall, Deputy Feighan should note that details as to the manner in which the funding will be allocated between various programmes will be published in due course in the Revised Estimates Volume.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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While overall the Department received a 13% cut in funding in the budget, some areas have been especially targeted. Does the Minister accept there has been a 94% cut in the CLÁR programme, which provides funding for infrastructure in disadvantaged areas, and that the programme has been more or less abolished? Is it the Minister's intention to withdraw the programme entirely? The budget allocation of €500,000 does not represent a credible plan.

The Minister is responsible for Cabinet co-ordination of the drugs strategy. Will the Minister provide details of the cuts to drug funding made in all Departments? Current spending is down 7%. I realise the Minister stated this reduction is less for front line services but I am concerned that this amounts to juggling with figures. What was the allocation under the national drugs strategy last year? What will this figure be in 2011? Is the Minister concerned with the current funding cut-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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There are several questions for the Minister to answer. I will call the Deputy again.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the overall spend, there is very little capital spending in our Department and, in some cases, little or nothing. For example, an allocation of €3 million was made in the capital budget under the national drugs strategy this year. As it turned out, not all of that was used and some of it was transferred to current spending towards the end of the year to meet demands in that area.

I refer to CLÁR funding. For a variety of reasons, not least of which is the fact that local authorities have found it difficult during the past year to propose programmes that would qualify for CLÁR, a small amount of money has been left over. Unfortunately, this will not be spent because local authorities and other community groups have been unable to access the matching funding.

Spending in the subhead related to the drugs area has been reduced on the current side by between 1.3% and 1.7%. I chose this course of action deliberately but the overall average cut or reduction has been approximately 2.7%.

Both the local and regional drugs taskforces have been advised in the past week of their allocation for the coming year. They are in discussions with the Department at the moment. I have requested that any reductions which arise are made through further savings in the area of administration, overheads and travel. The last place I wish to see further reductions is in services targeted at the front line, especially at vulnerable clients, such as those available in the drugs milieu.

Current spending this year in the drugs area is €32.79 million with €1 million allocated to capital. Although I do not have the precise figures, the comparison for last year was a reduction of approximately 2% overall in tacking the drugs problem.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The budget was designed to be vague. Many incendiary devices and booby traps will go off in the coming months. Unfortunately, ordinary citizens must pay. They do not understand what is coming down the line because the Minister has not highlighted or printed it. Does the Minister not accept that if some moneys were left over from €10 million, the 94% cut equates to €9.5 million on the CLÁR scheme and surely that is grossly in excess of what was left over?

The budget has been criticised as an especially anti-rural budget with cuts to rural transport, a hike in school transport costs, cuts to carers for the disabled and blind and cuts to CLÁR and RAPID programmes. Is the Minister concerned that this budget is effectively anti-rural and that people living in rural areas have been hit disproportionately by this budget?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are no incendiary devices. This project has been deliberately worked out and much of it was done in consultation with the sector. Contrary to Deputy Feighan's remarks, the budget for rural communities has been, in fact, increased significantly for the coming year. The outturn for this year is €48 million and it will be €60 million for the Leader programme next year. A great deal of work can and is being done and will be done under this heading. I do not agree with the remarks. The Leader programme benefits not only mainland communities but the island communities. Comhar na nOileáin and MFG are two Leader companies that do remarkably good work in this area. I do not agree that anything approaching the level of reduction insinuated has been applied to rural communities. The reverse is the case.