Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the schemes, functions and responsibilities that fall under the Community Section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36193/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The key objectives of my Department's Community Division are 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.

In this regard, the Division is responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities, including the Local and Community Development Programme, the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, the Seniors Alert Scheme, RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme, the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising. The Division is also managing the process of alignment of the local government and local development sectors, with a view to improving the delivery of services for citizens at local level and achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Other areas within the responsibility of my Department's Community Division include:

· National Countryside Recreation Strategy, Walks Scheme and secretariat support to Comhairle na Tuaithe;

· Remaining commitments under the CLÁR Programme and Rural Development Fund;

· Support for Volunteering, including support for the core costs of the network of 22 Volunteer Centres across the country and for other initiatives which promote and support volunteering, such as Focus Ireland, Boardmatch, Young Social Innovators, Chambers Ireland and First Step;

· Funding Scheme for Social Partnership, to cover costs directly related to their contribution to policy-making in the social partnership process which is not funded by any other source;

· Dormant Accounts Programme, including oversight of Dormant Accounts disbursements and the co-ordination of proposals to Government for decisions in accordance with the Dormant Accounts legislation;

· Community & Voluntary Fora, Engagement and Liaison with local authorities in respect of range of local structures and services, including social inclusion units, joint policing committees, county development boards, dog control, burial grounds;

· Administration and organisation of the National TidyTowns and related competitions;

· North/South EU Funding Programmes, namely PEACE III and Interreg IVA; and

· Responsibility for engagement with two non-commercial State Agencies, namely Irish Water Safety and the Western Development Commission.