Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason funds agreed under the youth facilities service fund have not been fully released to a project (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6405/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I stated in my answer to question no. 236 of 15 February, the centre in question has received substantial funding of €3,221,647 from the young people's facilities and services fund to cover construction and fit out costs. I understand that a small saving was made in the main construction costs. However, this funding is being used on the ongoing further capital development of the centre.

Additionally, funding for the employment of a centre manager, a youth worker, an administrator and a porter-cleaner was sanctioned from the fund, as well as a contribution towards the running costs of the youth element of the facility. The amount allocated to the provision of the above services for the youth element of this centre to date is €543,550. Furthermore, the centre continues to receive an annual allocation under the young people's facilities and services fund to cover the above staffing and running costs. Having regard to the above, I am convinced that the young people's facilities and services fund is generous in its support to this centre for the provision of youth services and programmes.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the funding will be issued for a company (details supplied) in County Sligo; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6451/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received a request for payment from Sligo Leader Partnership Company Limited, in respect of the company in question on 23 January 2006. All the requisite documentation in support of the claim was not provided and Sligo Leader has been requested to forward the outstanding papers to progress the claim. As soon as the necessary documentation is received, the CLÁR funds will issue.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding which is available from his Department for the refurbishment of a hall (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6452/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations is funded by my Department and supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups. The programme consists of three schemes: one makes funds available for small scale refurbishment of premises. This is complemented by a second scheme to provide for the purchase of essential equipment including IT equipment. The third scheme provides for education, training and research grants. Grants of up to 90% of the cost are available under this programme.

The programme is advertised annually in the national and provincial newspapers. This year's programme will be advertised in the coming months. I have arranged for a copy of the application form and guidelines to be sent to the group in question as soon as they become available should they wish to make an application under this year's scheme.

Funding for a project such as this may be available under the enhancement of the natural-built cultural social environmental measure of the Leader programme. Further information on funding possibilities are available from the local Leader company.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if his Department will review this refusal decision in this case in view of the benefit to the community of this organisation. [6483/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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An application was received by my Department from the organisation in question under the 2005 programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations.

Each application received under the programme was assessed by Pobal on behalf of my Department by reference to the criteria set out in the published guidelines, and scored accordingly. The application from the organisation in question failed to achieve a sufficiently high score to enable it to be considered for funding on this occasion. A request for a review of the original assessment of the application has been received by my Department and I expect a decision on the matter in the coming weeks.

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if approval will be given to an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway for two additional people under the community services programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6543/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds South East Galway Community and Environmental Services Limited in Portumna, County Galway, and I assume that this is the group to which the Deputy is referring.

Responsibility for the community services programme — formerly the social economy programme — transferred to my Department on 1 January 2006. I hope to be in a position in the near future to make a further announcement regarding the operation of the programme under this Department.