Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is mindful of the importance of funding under the programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations. An application has been received from the group referred to by the Senator. Applications under the scheme of equipment grants and the scheme of training, education and research grants closed on 25 September. This application has been made under the scheme of equipment grants, one of three schemes under this programme, the other two being the refurbishment grants scheme and the training, education and research grants scheme.

I can confirm that almost 1,200 applications have been received to date under this programme. The significant level of interest in this programme highlights yet again its value to local groups. Clearly this particular programme helps to meet the needs of such groups in carrying out their valuable work in their communities. The equipment grants scheme enables local community organisations to buy IT equipment, photocopiers, phones, fax machines, desks or tables that their organisation needs. The refurbishment scheme allows groups to maintain or re-decorate community halls and other community facilities. The training, education and research scheme enables groups to build their own skill levels and to increase the capacity of their group to make a positive contribution in the lives of their community.

The Government considers this type of funding to communities to be of considerable importance. For this reason, the Government has provided an increase of funding for this programme from €3 million in 2006 to €13 million in the 2007 Estimates. The process of assessing the 1,200 applications so far received is a considerable one but has been under way since shortly after the 25 September closing date for the receipt of such applications. Each application must be assessed individually against the published criteria for the schemes before a final decision can be made.

I understand that this assessment process is proceeding and that recommendations on all complete applications received to date should be available to the Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs within eight to ten weeks. The refurbishment grants scheme remains open for applications for this current programme and, accordingly, further applications under that particular scheme continue to be received by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The group referred to by the Senator received an acknowledgement from that Department when its application was first submitted. Subsequently, on 20 October its application reference number was confirmed for any future correspondence.

I also understand that this group has submitted previous applications under this programme and I am glad to acknowledge that under last year's programme, its application under the scheme of equipment grants was successful. The grant on that occasion would have facilitated it in acquiring IT and other equipment which, I expect, will have been put to good use for the benefit of the Mac Eoin Park community.

As I have indicated, once the assessment process has been finalised and a decision is made on this group's latest application for equipment funding, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will be in contact with it immediately.