Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the grant applications will open for groups wishing to apply to the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/05]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when further information will be available for groups wishing to apply for funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board. [37746/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 332 and 333 together.

The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005 provides for significant changes in regard to the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts and for a reconstituted board. The Act was commenced on 1 September 2005. Under this new legislation, the Minister is required to consult with appropriate Ministers for the purpose of developing a proposal for submission to Government for approval. This proposal will include the programmes and types of projects in regard to which applications for disbursements will be invited, as well as the criteria to be applied in assessing applications made in response to the invitation.

Last week, the Government approved proposals for projects and programmes to address social and economic disadvantage under the next round of funding. The Minister will be making a further announcement shortly when the details and operational procedures are finalised. The consultation process with regard to proposals under the education disadvantage and disability categories is not yet finalised and the Minister hopes to be in a position to make proposals to Government under these headings shortly.