Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Dormant Accounts Fund

11:00 pm

Photo of Seán ArdaghSeán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the process for a school (details supplied) to apply for funds from the dormant accounts fund to enable the school to purchase a school bus. [11670/06]

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that disbursements from the dormant accounts fund are designed to assist three broad categories of persons: those who are socially or economically disadvantaged, those who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability. The Government has approved the allocation of €60 million from the dormant accounts fund in 2006, of which €24 million will be allocated towards projects tackling economic and social disadvantage, €18 million will be allocated towards projects tackling educational disadvantage and €18 million will be allocated towards projects assisting persons with a disability.

After consulting the appropriate Ministersand having obtained the approval of Government, I announced details on 4 January 2006 concerning the allocation of €24 million in 2006 for the purpose of supporting programmes and types of projects tackling economic and social disadvantage. Details of the announcement are available on the website of my Department at www.pobail.ie.

The roll-out of these measures has commenced and applications are being invited for the specific programmes on a phased basis. On funding for the purchase of school buses, I should point out that no specific measure for this purpose is included in the proposals approved by Government under the economic and social disadvantage category.

On the other two categories, educational disadvantage and persons with a disability, the consultation process required under the legislation has now been completed. Proposals which provide for funding of €18 million under each of these categories are in the process of being submitted to the Minister and will be brought to Government shortly for approval.

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