Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 707: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason he is discontinuing core funding from the LDP for a group (details supplied); if he will reconsider his position on funding for this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15180/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Development Programme provides multi-annual core funding to some 180 locally based voluntary and community groups (Community Development Projects) involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives. In addition, the Programme provides significant funding to a range of support groups under contract to my Department to provide support for these Projects.

The decision to discontinue funding to the group in question was part of a move to concentrate funding on coalface activities rather than support groups. It is a matter for individual Community Development Projects to use the service of the group in question if they consider them good value. The decision to discontinue funding to the body referred to by the Deputy was communicated to the group in June 2005 in order that other avenues for funding could be explored by the group. The group appealed that decision. The matter was further considered and funding of €100,000 was approved for the body for 2007 to give them more time to explore new opportunities for funding. My intention is to ensure that a greater proportion of the funding for the Programme is made available to Community Development Projects to address local issues. It is my intention that individual Projects are able to access funding from the Programme to meet specific training and support that their boards of management may consider necessary to address local needs.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 708: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in relation to an application for funding under the CLÁR programme for a project (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if funding will be provided as a matter of urgency in view of the safety issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15270/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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CLÁR provides 100% funding specifically for flashing amber safety lights at all primary schools in CLÁR areas that do not already have such lights. The Local Authority identifies the projects and my Department has no role in this process. The Local Authority has sole responsibility for the administration of this scheme.