David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 14 June 2006 in which he referred this Deputy to [i]www.pobail.ie[/i] the way in which he intends to ensure democratic legitimacy on local boards appointed to implement development programmes; the boards where such legitimacy has already been ensured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23923/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In furtherance of the cohesion process commenced in 2004 and in line with the Government decision on the review of local and community development structures, City and County Development Boards and Údaras na Gaeltachta were invited to submit proposals during 2005 aimed at achieving county/city coverage by local development agencies and involving, in rural areas, the integration of Leader and Partnership groups. The intention is that, from 2007, there will be one structure delivering services in any given area and fewer structures overall in the country.

The Boards of Partnerships established under the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme are required to have a broad representation of locally based representatives which includes the community and voluntary sectors, statutory agencies, social partners, and public representatives. Arrangements are in place to ensure that Boards maintain a balance level of representation across these sectors during the course of the annual funding cycles and regular reviews.

With respect to the Community Development Programme (CDP), Community Development Projects are required to have a Board structure drawn from the local area within which they operate. This includes representatives of the target groups served by the Project. The Department reviews the composition of Boards regularly and ensures compliance with guidelines on this matter during site visits and ongoing inspection and audit work.

The boards of all local development structures, including any new entities, will be expected to continue to operate in accordance with good governance principles and to have appropriate mechanisms in place to enable accountability to their communities and their funders. To this end, it is intended to address the procedures for the establishment of the boards of the new bodies and their membership in the context of the cohesion process, with particular reference to ensuring that genuine community representation is secured. It is also intended to have public representatives on these boards. It is in this way I see the democratic legitimacy of the local boards being achieved.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 14 June 2006 in which he referred this Deputy to [i]www.pobail.ie[/i] the breakdown of the €3,291,000 expended by his Department in 2005 under subhead F3 as outlined in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23924/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The details sought by the Deputy are set out in the following Table.