Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way he will allocate the additional €5 million to be provided in 2007 to further support volunteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42852/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been allocated an additional €5 million in 2007 to further support the development of volunteering in Ireland. This is in keeping with the Government's commitment under Towards 2016.

My Department will continue to focus on building on the existing volunteering infrastructure, including the Volunteer Bureaux, promoting Volunteering among young people and developing volunteering through the community and voluntary sector.

The funding will take cognisance of the recommendations of the task force on Active Citizenship, which will be presented early in the new year.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason funding for the Gaeltacht improvement scheme has been reduced by 37% for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42869/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, much of the work completed on Gaeltacht Improvement Schemes was carried out under the seven year NDP programme. However, 2006 was an exceptional year in that more projects than anticipated were completed due to a number of factors, including the good weather we enjoyed earlier in the year. At this stage, it is expected that in excess of €22m will have been spent on these schemes before the end of this year, an increase of almost 40% on the 2006 allocation. This means that the overall programme is well ahead of the targets originally set for the period to end-2006 — indeed, it is estimated that a total of €97m will have been spent on Gaeltacht improvement works in the period 2000-2006 and clearly this has knock-on effects on the amount of funding required for the schemes in 2007. The result of this investment is plain to be seen in all Gaeltacht areas in the form of improved roads, marine works, and community and leisure facilities.