Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to develop structures, including a centralised unit, to drive and co-ordinate social inclusion policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10793/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress he has made in regard to the streamlining and co-ordination of service delivery in the community and voluntary sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10802/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 100 together.

Arising from the review process which I initiated, in conjunction with my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in January 2004, the Government agreed a series of measures designed to improve delivery of services on the ground, improve arrangements under which community and local development initiatives are delivered and improve cohesion and focus across various measures. In line with that decision, local and community development agencies were requested to advance improvements in linkages, cohesion and sharing resources. City and county development boards were given the role of overseeing and co-ordinating the cohesion process. Cohesion Funding of €3,248,600 was allocated during 2004 to support specific measures arising from that process.

The core objective of the 2005-06 round is the alignment of local, community and rural development organisations to achieve full area coverage. The major advantage of such an approach is that the State will be able to deliver programmes such as the local development social inclusion programme and the rural social scheme through these new unified structures because they will have all-area cover. My preference is for unified overarching structures based around county boundaries where practicable. However, I am prepared to consider variations across county boundaries on their merits.

The intention is that from 2007 there will be one company delivering services in any given area and fewer companies overall in the country. This will lead to improved co-ordination of service delivery and maximise the impact of social inclusion measures at a local level. To date, I have been able to support a number of proposals for integration of Leader and partnership companies. Further proposals are being developed by the relevant agencies. I will consider these proposals in due course.

A total of €4,836,927 was awarded in respect of cohesion initiatives during 2005, including €1,463,400 for promotion of volunteering. I have approved a further €760,600 from the cohesion fund since the beginning of the year.