Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department in concert with community groups continue to deal with community issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31440/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department continues to have responsibility for a range of community focused programmes and actions, in line with its high level objective to facilitate integrated development at local level and foster vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities and to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society.

My Department funds a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities including, inter alia, the Local and Community Development Programme, the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme, the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising and a range of schemes in the Community and Voluntary Sector such as the Scheme to Support National Organisations.

A number of other Departments also fund community-based programmes and schemes. This combined investment in the community and voluntary sector reinforces the Government's commitment to sustaining vibrant and strong communities in Ireland.