Written Answers - Community Development. Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Dáil Eireann Debate Vol. 592 No. 1 Page of 264

  104.  Mr. Boyle       asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs      if the definition of “community” within his Department is strictly geographic; and if support is forthcoming from his Department on community groupings formed on any other basis. [28011/04]

  269.  Mr. Boyle       asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs      if the definition of “community” within his Department is strictly geographic; and if support is forthcoming from his Department on community groupings formed on any other basis. [28070/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern):    I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 269 together.

Under the community development programme, funding is targeted at the support of disadvantaged and socially excluded communities. The network of 175 community development resource centres and projects consists of both locally-based communities and communities of interest. A number of projects with a national remit are receiving funding under the programme, including the national Traveller women’s forum, the Bosnian CDP, the senior citizens parliament and Interaction. In addition, funding is also provided to Women’s Aid, Pavee Point and the national consultative committee on racism and interculturalism towards the specialist support needs of projects in the programme.

Question No. 105 answered with Question
No. 92.

  106.  Mr. Sherlock      asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs      the progress made in regard to the rural social scheme; when the scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/04]

  115.  Mr. Gormley       asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs      if he will report on the uptake of places being provided through the rural social scheme. [28018/04]

  268.  Mr. P. McGrath       asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs      the number of participants per county in the new rural social scheme as announced in budget 2004; and the total expenditure to date on this scheme. [28209/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív):    I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 115 and 268 together.

The rural social scheme was introduced on a phased basis for the LEADER companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta from May 2004. The scheme is available throughout the country. A total of 509 participants have commenced on the scheme and a further 498 places have been allocated to participants who will commence on the scheme this month. The following table provides a breakdown of the number of scheme participants per county:

It is expected that all 2,500 participants will have commenced on the scheme no later than the end of January 2005. The total expenditure by my Department to date on the scheme is, €1,587,508.00.

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Last Updated: 04/11/2010 10:55:00

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