Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he will improve, enhance or extend the funding or activities through the various schemes sponsored by his Department with particular reference to addressing social or economic deprivation in either rural or urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43203/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the full extent of the community based programmes currently run or funded by his Department; his intentions to expand or extend such activity in 2007 or 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43208/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 261 together.

As the Deputy will be aware my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures targeted at social or economic deprivation in either rural or urban areas and at community development, both local and national. For details regarding these programmes and measures and the criteria for funding, I would refer the Deputy to the information on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

If the Deputy has a specific question in relation to any scheme or programme, I will be happy to assist him. The schemes and programmes are developed and refined to meet new or changing needs as required and, again, if the Deputy has a specific concern in this regard, I will be happy to assist him.

The following is a summary of the main increases in funding for my Department's schemes and programmes relevant to the Deputy's questions as provided in the recently published Abridged Estimates Volume for 2007.

Extracts from statements on the Estimates

Community Development

In line with Towards 2016, an extra €25m has been provided in additional support for the Community and Voluntary Sector in 2007 this represents an 8% increase for community affairs in the 2007 estimates.

€25m for the Community and Voluntary Sector in 2007.

Highlights of the extra funding are:

the provision of €5m for Volunteering,

€10m under the new Partnership Programme for supports for the Community & Voluntary Sector

an increase in the Community Services Programme of €10m on top of the extra €5m already provided in 2006.

The Community Services Programme provides employment and vital services to communities throughout the country. This €10m is part of an increase agreed in the Partnership talks, which will see this programme expand from its expenditure of €37m in 2006 to €72m at today's costs in 2009.

LDSIP goes nationwide

A major part of the Government policy has been the extension of the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme nationwide and a further €7m has been provided for this purpose, bringing the total funding from for this programme to be delivered through integrated local development agencies (incorporating Partnership companies) next year to €81.5m.

Drugs

The Government are also continuing to provide increased funding for the Drugs Programme. The funding provided for the Drugs Initiative — Young People's Facilities and Services Fund in 2007 is over €43m which maintains the 36% increase on the 2005 estimate and is a dramatic increase on the €14m allocated in 2002.

RAPID

Continued funding has also been made available for the RAPID programme with the Leverage Fund (for small capital projects in RAPID areas), now becoming an established part of the estimates process. The allocation for the Leverage schemes has increased from €5.8m in 2004 when the schemes were introduced to €9.3m in 2007.

€43m for the Rural Social Scheme

Continued commitment to the Rural Social Scheme, which will involve an expenditure of over €43m in 2007. There are at present 2,600 people on the Rural Social Scheme and it is providing a range of comprehensive services in rural areas.

€20m for CLÁR

€20m for the CLÁR programme under this programme for the development of areas that have sustained continuous loss in population since the foundation of the State. The €20m provided for, allied to funds it leverages from other Departments and agencies, will ensure €50m approximately of investment in basic infrastructure in CLÁR areas including roads, water, community facilities, 3-phase electricity etc.

€31m for LEADER

€26m has been provided for the LEADER 2000-2006 programme. The bulk of this money is being provided for the payment of outstanding claims, and it includes €6m for new actions under the current programme.

A further €5m has also been provided for the LEADER Rural Economy Sub-Programme 2007-2013 for the initial phases of this programme. This programme will be three times larger than the current programme and it is hoped to have it in operation in the Spring or early Summer of 2007. As is understandable, the lead-in time between first approval and payments is considerable with any of these programmes and the bulk of the expenditure under the LEADER Rural Economy Programme 2007-2013 will incur in later years of the programme.

13% Increase in Current Funding for the Western Development Commission

There is also provision in the Estimates for a 13% increase in current funding for the Western Development Commission and a further €4m being invested in the Western Investment Fund.

18% increase for Social and Cultural Schemes in the Gaeltacht

The funding available for 2007 for social and cultural schemes in the Gaeltacht has been increased by 18%. This provision has increased from €8.35m in 2006 to €9.85m in 2007. Payments are made to "mná tí" under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge from this fund. This fund also provides for language planning, various cultural schemes, language assistants and third level education in the Gaeltacht.

27% increase in Údarás na Gaeltachta's current expenditure fund for Gaeltacht projects

Údarás na Gaeltachta's current expenditure fund for Gaeltacht initiatives is to be increased by €1m (27%). This fund provides for payments to co-operatives, community based organisations, youth clubs and other cultural services throughout the Gaeltacht.

€50m of capital funding for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and Islands

Almost €50m of capital funding, i.e. funding invested in piers, roads, island infrastructure, village enhancement and Údarás na Gaeltachta's capital provision, has been provided for 2007.