Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Spending thresholds may be applied to particular programmes or projects. Subsequent to Government approval of the proposal, the Minister, following a public process of invitations for applications, will recommend for funding a list of programmes or projects that have been assessed by, or on behalf of, public bodies. In addition to this process, and as previously provided for under the principal Act, the Government has discretion to approve funding for additional programmes that comply with the core purposes of the fund. All decisions made under either of these processes will be detailed in a statement to be laid before the Oireachtas and publicised, with the disbursements routed to successful applicants through Departments.

Section 9 provides that the National Treasury Management Agency will report annually on the operation of the fund to the Minister for Finance, and the board will report annually to the Minister, who will lay copies before the Oireachtas.