543 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the arrangements, if any, being made regarding transitional funding for the area partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21426/99]

Final Government decisions on the new national development plan are expected shortly. Pending those decisions, it is not possible for me to give any figures on future funding for local development type activities. However, I wish to state that this Government is fully committed to the important task of tackling social exclusion in deprived areas, and of ensuring that the overall objectives of current programmes remain a priority.

With regard to the area partnerships, the situation is that each area partnership/ADM/ community group carries out its activities under a plan which is prepared by itself and approved by ADM. The current Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development requires that all commitments to funding actions under these plans, are made by the end of 1999. Actual spend can continue until the end of 2001 to ensure the successful completion of the current programme.