15 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding funding for Area Development Management Limited in 2000; and if all the existing projects will continue to be funded, in particular Co-operation Fingal in Balbriggan, County Dublin. [10078/99]

23 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if there will be a local development programme in the next national development plan; if this programme will continue support for groups situated in non-designated areas, such as Co-operation Fingal, which are essential to tackle long-term unemployment and social exclusion; and the plans, if any, he has to facilitate the financial transition of these groups through the hiatus period between the current local development programme and its successor. [9866/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 23 together.

The European Council recently agreed a funding package of Community support for the 2000-06 period. While the outcome for Ireland was good given the extreme difficulty of the negotiations, the level of EU Structural Funds available over that period will be approximately half that available to Ireland under the current Community Support Framework.

Work has already commenced on agreeing priorities for EU co-funding under Ireland's next national development plan and on clarifying the Commission's new procedures for the next round of Structural Funds. There is a separate national consultation process to be undergone, inclusive of the social partners, while the creation of new authorities for the two new regions and the possibility of regional operational programmes adds further necessary layers to the planning process. Until such time as this overall process is completed, it is difficult to give any indication of the likely levels of EU financial commitments and programmes, including their commitment to current EU-funded programmes.

The Government will not be deflected from its commitment to tackle social exclusion in deprived areas and to ensure that the overall objectives of current programmes remain a priority. In particular, good work has already been done by the partnerships and ADM-supported community groups in developing a new and innovative area-based approach, which is currently being considered in the context of ongoing work on local government reform.

In view of the fact that the project mentioned in Deputy Owen's parliamentary question is outside an Objective One area, will it continue to be funded or is it at risk?

It will not disqualify it from further consideration for funding arising out of the focus of the national development plan. It is recognised that this group has made a considerable contribution over the past three years towards tackling disadvantage and social exclusion in north County Dublin. The Deputy might be interested to know that the group has received funding at the rate of £60,000 per annum over the past three years to meet its objectives.