Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will insist on co-funding on a 50:50 basis from the local authorities towards the cost of supporting the community forums in view of the reduction in funding from him this year and the new responsibility of the Department for community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13289/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Our current economic circumstances mean that public expenditure has had to be substantially reduced across Departments, Agencies and programmes. As a result there are competing demands for very scarce resources from a wide range of genuine interests. The priority in these circumstances is to limit to the greatest extent possible the impact of expenditure reductions on essential services and on those most in need.

In this context, following review, a provision of €587,000 was provided in my Department's Vote for 2011 to support the Community and Voluntary Fora in each county/city council area. This funding is in addition to the financial support provided by local authorities for the participation by Fora representatives on County/City Development Boards, Strategic Policy Committees and Joint Policing Committees. Local authorities are providing additional supports to Community and Voluntary Fora. However, the provision of matched funding by local government to a Community and Voluntary Forum is a matter for each county/city council concerned, in line with its estimates process having regard to competing priorities and demands.