Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the operation and development of the various community-based schemes operated by his Department in respect of the urban and rural communities; his intentions, if any, to expand the scope and scale of such schemes to cater for the need arising from the current economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14202/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's mandate includes the promotion, support and development of communities, both urban and rural, across the country. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department will seek to continue to support and cater for the needs of these communities in the current economic situation through the administration and operation of its various community-based schemes. As the Deputy will know, details in relation to these schemes, and other schemes and programmes operated by my Department, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie. Given the ongoing pressure on public funds, I do not envisage any significant expansion of the relevant programmes in the foreseeable future. I can, however, assure the Deputy that it will continue to be a primary concern to make every effort to ensure that the daily front-line services provided with funding from my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities.