Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied that the geographical distribution of funding under the local development social inclusion programme is equitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47071/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) is a series of measures designed to counter disadvantage and to promote equality and social and economic inclusion. The programme, which Pobal manages on behalf of my Department, is implemented locally by 37 Integrated Local Development Companies and 16 Urban Partnerships. These are not-for-profit companies that target the areas of greatest need in the country, to provide an area-based response to long-term unemployment and to promote social inclusion.

Allocations made by Pobal under the LDSIP are based on a number of factors, including the size/population of the catchment areas of the local development company, the proposed annual programme of activity of each company, and the deprivation index for the catchment area. My Department approves the broad approach adopted by Pobal and I am satisfied that there is broad equity in the application of available resources. Such distribution is kept under review. As I have previously indicated to the House, the LDSIP and Community Development Programme (CDP) come to an end on 31 December 2009 and will be superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme. The new programme will preserve elements of good practice from the existing CDP/LDSIP programmes and will enhance monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.