Written answers
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Dormant Accounts Fund Administration
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of uncommitted funds in the dormant accounts fund, taking into account the need for a statutory reserve; if any part of these funds will be used to assist with the funding of boxing and other sports facilities and activities in inner city and RAPID areas in view of the need for these facilities and the effect extra sports activities have on reducing anti-social behaviour and the success of Irish boxers on the world stage as elite athletes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3047/15]
Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.
The legislation introduced a scheme for the disbursement of funds that are unlikely to be reclaimed but only for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist:
- the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;
- the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged or
- persons with a disability.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the funding of projects in inner city and RAPID areas, the Dormant Accounts Action Plan for 2014will provide diverse supports for disadvantaged communities, including measures to promote youth employment, employability and entrepreneurship, training for carers and support for people with disabilities.
The net value of uncommitted funds is currently around €114 million. This does not include a Reserve Fund, currently standing at some €65.8million. Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department's website at .
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