Written answers

Wednesday, 5 December 2007

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Community Development

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he will extend the amount of funding available under the CLÁR or RAPID schemes; if it is intended to increase the number of groups or locations who might qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32551/07]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The RAPID Programme operates in 46 designated disadvantaged urban areas and the CLÁR Programme in available across 23 counties that have suffered significant levels of depopulation. The funding available for 2008 will be determined in the context of Budgetary allocations for next year. The Deputy may be aware that I have asked my Department to secure a comprehensive analysis of the Small Areas Population Statistics recently published by the Central Statistics Office with a view to ensuring that the Programmes and Schemes administered across my Department are sufficiently targeted to meet the changing needs of communities. The targeting of programmes will be considered in this context.

The level of funding for these schemes in 2008 will be dealt with in the context of the Budget.

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his response to the report by NUI Galway's Child and Family Research Centre, presented to him on 12 November 2007; the action he will take within the remit of his Department's area of responsibility to deal with the issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/07]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I was invited by the Galway City Partnership to launch the research commissioned by them and undertaken by the Child and Family Research Centre from NUI Galway. The report is entitled Towards A Better Future: Research into the Labour Market Needs and Social Exclusion of One Parent Families in Galway City and County.

I am happy to welcome the publication of report. The project commenced in early 2006 and was conducted under a Steering Committee consisting of members from various agencies comprising the Partnership, Galway Peoples' Resource Centre, the HSE, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, FÁS, Galway City and County Childcare Committee, Cumas Teoranta, Galway Rural Development Company and the LESN. This research initiative was in response to the insufficiency of information available on one-parent families in Galway City and County, and the challenges they face in accessing employment, training and education.

The report makes an important contribution to developing solutions to enable one-parent families play a fuller role in their communities, and improve access to education, training and employment. I have asked my Department to work with the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which has primary responsibility in this area, to examine the actions that might be taken to advance the recommendations made in the research.

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposal for a comprehensive analysis of recently published small areas population statistics with a view to ensuring that programmes and schemes administered by his Department are sufficiently targeted to meet the changing needs of communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32601/07]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is aware that I have asked my Department to secure a comprehensive analysis of the Small Areas Population Statistics recently published by the Central Statistics Office with a view to ensuring that the Programmes and Schemes administered across my Department are sufficiently targeted to meet the changing needs of communities. My intention is to take advantage of this newly available data at DED and sub-DED level to provide an evidenced based approach to the design and implementation of the broad range of initiatives currently focused on tackling a variety of socio-economic weaknesses at local and community level. Preliminary work on this initiative will begin in the New Year and will take several months to complete.

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