Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1031: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to implement a community development plan which will deliver community facilities such as playgrounds, community centres, local markets, recycling, sports and recreational facilities here; the amount of the €150 million Community Development Fund which has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47838/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1032: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to ensure that services being delivered for towns under the community development plan are easily accessible to rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47840/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1031 and 1032 together.

The Programme for Government provides for a Community Development Plan to be underpinned by a Fund of €150 million and to be established over a five-year period. The Plan is intended to deal with the provision of community facilities such as playgrounds, community centres, local markets, recycling, sports and recreational facilities and to be implemented in a way which would maximise impact in local communities and complement existing relevant programmes.

As a first step, and in keeping with the recommendation in the Task Force Report on Active Citizenship, an audit of community, sports and arts facilities at local level was commenced in the second half of 2008 by each county and city council, under the auspices of the relevant County/City Development Board and in line with guidelines issued by my Department. These guidelines were developed in consultation with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Department of the Taoiseach and local authorities. A Steering Group representative of these bodies, as well as the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, is overseeing the audits. Some of the audits have recently been completed with the remainder in the process of being finalised at present. Further consideration of the matter will be carried out in the context of the public services expenditure estimates.