88 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to the concerns of Waterford City community forum (details supplied) regarding future funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46689/10]

90 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the alternative structures he plans to put in place to ensure that the skills and knowledge of the support workers are not completely lost due to the proposed cut to support funding for the community and voluntary fora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46702/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 90 together.

Further to the reply to Question No. 135 of 2 December 2010, the issue of the funding of the Community & Voluntary Fora from my Department's Vote has been addressed in the Estimates for 2011. As a result, a total of €587,000 is being provided next year by my Department to support the Fora in each county/city council area. This funding is in addition to the continued payment of expenses by local authorities to Fora representatives on County/City Development Boards, Strategic Policy Committees and Joint Policing Committees.