Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount allocated to areas (details supplied) in Dublin 7 from the Young People's Services and Facilities Fund; the amount which has been drawn down to date; the use to which the money was put; if the unused portion of the allocation can now be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36723/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Capital funding of nearly €1.8m for a community facility, in the area referred to by the Deputy, was approved in 1998 and 2001 under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF). Of this, over €5,000 was drawn down in 2003 for initial architectural fees. As the Deputy may be aware, the facility is linked to the broader regeneration of the particular area in Dublin 7.

Following the decision by the developers earlier this year to withdraw from the regeneration project, Dublin City Council officials are currently working on alternative ways to progress the redevelopment. I understand that they hope to be in a position to present proposals on how to proceed at a public meeting before the end of the year. Consequently, the draw-down of the remaining funding under the YPFSF will need to be examined in the context of these proposals.

In relation to the Fund, it should be noted that arrangements to give effect to its transfer to the Office of the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) — in line with the Taoiseach's announcement last May — are expected to be completed shortly. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that the development of the facility in question will be a matter for the OMCYA to consider in the context of funding available to them for 2009.