Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason for the delay in providing local partnerships with formal approval to extend their boundaries; and when he expects the boundary changes to formally take effect. [16819/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my previous responses to questions on this issue, in particular Question Nos. 10 and 11 of 3rd of April 2008.

As indicated to the House, the core objective of the cohesion process is to simplify and improve local delivery of programmes through the integration and alignment of local delivery structures. The intention is that for the future there will be one company in any given area and fewer local development companies overall.

Following an extensive consultation phase, Government decided last year on the revised areas of coverage for local development groups. The realigned areas of coverage comprise 17 urban operational areas and 38 rural operational areas. Arrangements are being made at local level to establish working integrated delivery structures and urban partnership bodies in the new coverage areas. In some cases, arrangements have been finalised and funding has been made available through the local development programme to extend the coverage of services. I hope that arrangements in other areas will be concluded shortly.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extra resources that will be made available to local partnerships to allow them provide services and financial assistance to people and areas into which their boundaries will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16820/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan 2007-2013 commits €49.6 billion for social inclusion measures including some €417 million for the Local Development and Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP). This funding will be provided over the period of the Plan to support a range of locally based social inclusion actions.

The 2008 voted allocation for the LDSIP is €57.44m. To date, some €49m has been allocated to Partnerships. Transitional arrangements are being made for 2008 to enable the new integrated structures and partnerships to extend their areas of coverage and to embed their operations. Additional funds can be made available during 2008 from the voted allocation as the new integrated structures and partnerships become operational.