Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends to introduce reforms to facilitate small voluntary groups that find it difficult to fulfil the local fund-raising requirement, which is often imposed on groups before they are able to draw down national funding allocations. [36768/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department operates a number of schemes designed to facilitate small voluntary groups including the programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations. This programme offers two schemes of once-off grants to local community and voluntary organisations for equipment and refurbishment of premises and-or education, training and research grants.

Under the Gaeltacht improvement schemes, my Department may provide a grant of up to 80%, including CLÁR contribution if applicable, of the cost to local committees in order to provide community and leisure facilities together with furniture and equipment in Gaeltacht areas.

I am not aware that the local fund-raising requirement has been a difficulty and I have no plans to change the current arrangements. If, however, the Deputy has specific cases in mind I am prepared to examine the issue.