James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I wish to highlight the need for the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to provide an update on the current status of the application made by Mac Eoin Park residents association, Longford, for funding under the programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations. The object of this scheme is to support the activities of local voluntary and community groups through grants for the refurbishment of existing premises used by such groups and that, where disadvantage in the community is being addressed, up to 90% of the cost will be met.

Mac Eoin Park residents association, is open to all residents of Mac Eoin Park and surrounding new developments and local agencies such as the VEC, local partnership, etc. The association has two houses, which were donated for the benefit of the association, and is situated in a very socially disadvantaged area with a high poverty index. The area suffers from extreme anti-social activity and drug and alcohol abuse. Some 70% of the residents of Mac Eoin Park are on some form of welfare, 60% are under 18 years of age and 33% are seriously disadvantaged.

Mac Eoin Park is situated in a RAPID designated area. The association runs a very successful national school after-school service but urgently needs to provide facilities to help adults, teenagers and other members of the community through education programmes in an educational setting to be provided at the centre. With the help of appropriate funding the Mac Eoin Park residents association could fully equip the community centre, enabling both adults and children to use the centre for educational and information purposes.

In its application for funding the residents association seeks to promote the interests of the Mac Eoin Park area and of the people of the locality as they pertain to the social, cultural and general welfare and common good of the community. There are significant and well-recognised social problems within certain local authority estates within Longford town, where a high level of long-term unemployment, generational unemployment, substance abuse, early school leaving, vandalism and crime are persistent and demoralising problems, leading to a breakdown and erosion of community morale.

The Mac Eoin Park residents association is an example of community-based self-help effort at its best. The advantages to an area like this, which suffers every social disadvantage imaginable, cannot be overstated and funding for this community project is an investment in the turnaround that we all hope can be achieved to improve the quality of life for such communities.

With the voluntary effort going into the provision of community services such as that of the Mac Eoin Park residents association, I expect that every effort can be made by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, through Pobal, to provide the necessary funding to assist this worthwhile venture. I commend the hard work of Mr. Peter Clyne, co-ordinator, Ms Isobel Daly, chairperson of the Mac Eoin Park residents association and the committee for their hard work and dedication to the project. The basis of the mixed economy of welfare is dependent on the endeavours of such committed people. I expect a positive response.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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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.

James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Tánaiste for his response and have no doubt that he will use his good offices to ensure this group is facilitated with funding.