Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he intends introducing supporting measures for volunteers in community and voluntary groups and for volunteers in post-primary and tertiary education; when such a scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6763/0]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to question 141 of the 8 February 2006.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when rural social scheme participants will receive their wage increase similar to the increase which recently issued to FÁS scheme participants. [6782/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Increases in the rural social scheme payment rates, in accordance with the increases in social welfare payments announced in Budget 2006 are currently being implemented. This process requires the calculation of the new rate of pay, along with any arrears due from the effective dates, for each participant. The majority of participants received this increase and payment of arrears, as appropriate, with their weekly payments during the week ended 17 February. It is envisaged that the remainder of participants will shortly receive their increase and arrears, as appropriate.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grants which are sponsored by his Department that would be appropriate to a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6857/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for a range of community-based schemes, including the young people's facilities and services fund.

Through this fund allocations are made to assist in the development of youth facilities — including sport and recreational facilities — and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The objective of the fund is to attract at risk young people in disadvantaged areas into these facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse. The target group for the fund are ten-21 year olds who are marginalised through a combination of risk factors relating to family background, environmental circumstances, educational disadvantage, involvement in crime and drugs etc. The main focus of the fund to date has been in local drugs task force areas.

Applications for funding are not made directly to my Department but through a local development group which comprises representatives from the relevant local authority and VEC as well as a community representative who is also a member of the local drugs task force. This development group determine the suitability of the project against the priorities identified for their area, and the finances available, in the context of the overall aims and objectives of the national drugs strategy 2001-08. Contact details for the relevant local development group are attached for the Deputy's information.

Contact details for local development group: Mr. Bobby Neill, Dublin City Council, Block 1, Upper Ground Floor, Civic Office, Dublin 8; Ms Caroline Jones, City of Dublin Youth Services Board, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.