Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the types of project which will be funded under jointly funded flagship projects initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36909/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The key objective in allocating funds from Dormant Accounts is to ensure that disbursements are targeted at those most in need in society. Funding from Dormant Accounts is designed to complement the range of Government programmes that address economic, social and educational disadvantage and assist persons with a disability.

An innovative feature of the 2006 round of Dormant Accounts Funding is the provision of up to €10 million for flagship projects that can attract significant private, philanthropic or community based funding. This funding measure has the potential to release significant amounts of matching funding from such sources and will have a very positive impact in tackling disadvantage and assisting persons with a disability. There is a widely held belief that as individual wealth increases as a result of our economic successes, philanthropy has a bigger part to play in addressing inequalities in society. Applications under this funding measure were invited on 18th October 2006 and as soon as these applications are fully processed, announcements will be made detailing the specific groups and organisations that have been successful.

It is anticipated that these will be initiatives addressing matters of major public concern and/or headline policy interventions for which funding from private philanthropic or community sources can be levered. The nature of projects to be funded will be determined by the proposals submitted.