Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide funding to the Equal Ireland Development Partnership to continue the community initiative beyond 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27923/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The EQUAL Community Initiative Programme is funded by the European Social Fund and seeks to identify and address fundamental forms of discrimination and inequality in the labour market through the development of new and innovative policies and practices initiated by EQUAL Development Partnerships. The Programme started in 2000 and ends in 2007. EQUAL has been delivered in two Rounds. In total up to 75% of the costs of 21 projects were funded under Round 1 of the Programme and 22 projects under Round 2.

EQUAL Ireland Development Partnership has received funding of €872,932 under Round 1 and EQUAL Ireland Life Long Learning (Workplace and Community) Project has been allocated funding of €1,075,140 and additional funding of €241,908 under Round 2 of the EQUAL Community Initiative. While EQUAL projects are continuing to operate until the end of 2007, there is no further funding available from the European Social Fund for new projects or activity beyond 2007. Commitments must have been entered into by the end of 2006 to be admissible for funding under the rules covering EQUAL.

I would therefore suggest that the promoters of EQUAL Ireland engage with the relevant State Agencies, including those which have to date contributed to the costs of this project directly, to ascertain whether funds are available to continue with this project.