Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amounts of grants provided under the two programmes of grants for community and voluntary organisations during the past three years; his plans to expand this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14265/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the question relates to the Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations. This Programme, which was suspended at the end of February 2009, provided funding in respect of the refurbishment of community premises, the purchase of equipment for community and voluntary organisations and training to enhance the capacity of and activities or persons and organisations working in the community and voluntary sector. The Programme continues to meet commitments made to projects before it was suspended last year.

Funding of some €13m has been paid to Groups under the Programme since 2007 as follows:

2007 — €6.5m;

2008 — €3.5m; and

2009 — €3.1m.

Funding of €1.5m has been earmarked in 2010 to meet existing commitments. Given the ongoing pressure on public funds, I do not envisage re-opening the Programme in the foreseeable future.