44 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the speech on 10 May 1999 at the launch of the Dublin Inner City Partnership two year programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12974/99]

45 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the speech to the Dublin Inner City Partnership on 10 May last. [12777/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

ADM supported area based partnerships have in recent years been developing a new and innovative area based response to the needs of the disadvantaged, both urban and rural. This was strongly evidenced by the launch of Dublin Inner City Partnership two year programme report, which outlines its holistic approach to social inclusion in an urban context.

The European Council recently agreed a funding package of Community support for the 2000-2006 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 the process of 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 also a separate national consultation process to be undergone, inclusive of the social partners. Until such time as this overall process is completed, it is difficult to give any indication of likely levels of EU financial commitments and programme support.