Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the mechanism available to a community group (details supplied) in County Kildare to apply for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24175/06]

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 operates throughout the country. It is advertised annually and supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups in their community. The 2005 Programme made funds available for small scale refurbishment of premises, for the purchase of essential equipment, including I.T. equipment, and for education, training and research. The maximum grant for refurbishment was €40,000; for equipment was €10,000; and for training, education and research was also €10,000.

The Scheme is currently being reviewed and the 2006 Programme will be advertised in the coming weeks in the national and provincial newspapers. 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 the group wish to make an application under this year's scheme. It is possible also that funding for a project such as this may be available under the LEADER Programme. Further information on funding possibilities is available from the group's local LEADER company.