Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding provided under the Dormant Account Fund scheme since its inception to date in 2009; the geographical spread of the applications for funding; the number of successful applicants; the number refused funding; if there is a waiting list for funding; if so, the position in relation to providing such funding to these groups; the position regarding the scheme in view of the economic conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34205/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Dormant Accounts Fund Acts provide for an annual transfer by credit institutions and insurance undertakings of monies in accounts determined to be dormant into the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF). Since its establishment in May 2003 to the end of August 2009, the net transfers to the DAF have totalled some €334.1m.

The value of the Fund at the end of August 2009, net of liabilities, was some €49.1m. This excludes the amount of some €48.6m currently maintained in a Reserve Account to meet reclaims and to cover expenses. The reserve is currently set at 15% of the total moneys received by the Fund and not yet reclaimed.

The geographical spread of the applications received for funding under each round is set out in Table I. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved €1,864,228 for 90 drug related projects, which are regionally based, set out in Table II.

Of the 9,393 applications received to date, 9,246 applications have been assessed with 6,509 or 70% of these recommended for funding. The number of applications not recommended or deemed ineligible for funding to date has amounted to 2,737 or 30% of assessed applications. In addition, the Government agreed to provide €64.4m to support the Rural Social Scheme between the years 2004 and 2008. No specific allocations were made to areas of the State given the national coverage of the programme. The Government approved a further €10m to support an Early Childhood Initiative based in three projects in Tallaght West in Dublin South and Ballymun, Darndale, Moatview and Belcamp on Dublin's Northside.

Following consideration and decision by the Government, all applicants are notified of the outcome of their application. The Deputy will appreciate that the number of approvals under each measure are made having regard to the resources available and the quality of applications received. Given the nature of the application, assessment and approval processes, the issue of waiting lists does not arise.

TABLE I