Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 646: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will ensure that the funding in respect of the older women's network (details supplied) is assured for 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15512/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Older Women's Network is funded under the Scheme to Support National Organisations and has been allocated funding of €129,600 in 2010. Contracts for groups currently funded under the Scheme are due to expire on 31 December 2010. My Department is currently reviewing the Scheme and, based on this review, I will be considering its future operation and scope at the appropriate time.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 648: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will address the concerns of a group (details supplied); his views on whether the closure of this partnership will have a negative impact on the communities that it serves; his further views on the risk of job losses arising from the decision to wind down this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15555/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware of the concerns of a number of groups following the decision to withdraw funding from the organisation in question and is working with Pobal to secure arrangements so that the area will continue to receive the necessary resources from a range of relevant programmes. In this respect, Pobal has recently met with all of the community groups directly funded by the organisation in question and will, in the short term, now directly manage the funding of their work. Groups have been assured that this initial funding will continue until a long-term resolution is found to the management of the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) in the area. In the meantime, my Department will continue to directly fund all Community Development Projects under the LCDP in the area so that the services and supports they provide to their local communities can be maintained. Discussions with FÁS are also underway on ensuring non-disruptive continuation of Local Employment Service (LES) operations in the area. It will be entirely a matter for the Board of the organisation in question, as an independent limited company, to decide whether to close or to remain open.