Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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435. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount distributed from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2011 and 2012; his plans to make distributions in 2013 and to what value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2294/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The total amount disbursed from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2011 was €8.4m; €4.16m was disbursed in 2012. The Disbursement Plan of 2009, put in place by the Dormant Accounts Board, will be replaced by a new disbursement scheme in 2013, to be created in accordance with the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012. The 2012 Act, inter alia, amends Part 6 of the Principal Act, which relates to disbursement of monies from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Section 42 provides forthe following:

- Making by me, as nister of a disbursement scheme no later than 12 months after the “appointed day” relating to programmes or projects for which moneys may be disbursed;

- The scheme (or any subsequent amendment to it) must be prepared by me having consulted with the nister for Health, the nister for Education and Skills and the nister for Social Protection. I may also consult with other nisters or persons;

- I must have regard to the policies and priorities of Government, the amount of moneys available or likely to be available, and the need to ensure value for money in setting out a scheme;

- The scheme must apply for a maximum period of 3 years, set out the objectives to be achieved by making disbursements and contain any other information considered appropriate by me;

- I may, from time to time, but must within three years of making a scheme and every three years thereafter, review a scheme or any part of a scheme;

- A scheme or an amendment to a scheme must be approved by Government;

- A scheme, including an amendment to a scheme, must be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and the Oireachtas allowed 21 days to consider it.

The legislation also provides for the preparations of an action plan each year following the making of a scheme. The plan, which will also be subject to consultation, must indicate the programmes or types of projects that may apply for disbursement and the maximum funds available. Different amounts may be specified in the plan in relation to a particular class or classes of programme or project. Once the plan is adopted, a copy must be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, where it may be considered within a 21 day period. The plan must also be published. Provision is made, in addition, for adopting or not adopting a plan and for not proceeding to invite applications under a plan, if appropriate in particular circumstances. Any decision not to proceed must be approved by Government.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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436. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a specific reason that credit unions remain exempt from the Dormant Accounts legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2295/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In practical terms, increasing the amount available in the Dormant Accounts Fund does not necessarily allow for the introduction of new dormant accounts measures or programmes. While applying the provisions of the dormant accounts legislation to credit union accounts would increase the amount available in the Fund, Government Departments and agencies would still have to source monies for dormant accounts measures from their existing Exchequer allocations, in the same way as with any other funding programmes. Given budgetary constraints , expenditures on new dormant accounts measures or programmes could therefore affect other existing programmes, and would increase Government debt levels,