Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in the context of budget 2009, he will explain his statement that his Department will not be entering into new contracts to provide support services to community development projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42940/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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In the current economic environment, there is a critical need to ensure that resources are directed in a targeted and effective manner and that the public receive the maximum benefit from the schemes we provide. As with other Government Programmes and initiatives, the amount of funding available for the overall Community Development Programme will be somewhat less in 2009. This will present significant challenges in the short-term. It is my clear objective to ensure that such funding is directed to front line services. To achieve this my Department will not be entering into new contracts to provide support services to Community Development Projects. However, my Department will, within available resources, seek to address training or support needs identified by projects as they arise.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of the SPEAK programme installed in community development programmes; if an evaluation of the programme has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42992/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Since June 2002 the cost to my Department of installing and maintaining the SPEAK data collection package has been €215,465. My Department is currently undertaking an examination of the usefulness of SPEAK as a self-evaluation, planning and monitoring tool for Community Development Projects and it is expected that the results of this examination will be available shortly.