North/South Language Implementation Body

HL Deb 26 November 2002 vol 641 cc36-7WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the full allocations of funding to the two parts of the language implementation body by the North/South Ministerial Council have been spent in each year since 1999; if not, how much was not spent; by whom; and in what proportions the funding was released back to the United Kingdom Government and that of the Irish Republic. [HL137]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The North/South language body came into operation at devolution in December 1999.

The funding available and funding drawn down in the past two years and for the current year by the two agencies is as follows:

Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch
Year	Funding Available	Funding Drawn down	Unspent
	£	£	£
2000	667,000	293,695	373,305
2001	1,290,000	985,174	304,826
2002	1,420,000	895,400	N/A

Foras na Gaeilge
Year	Funding Available	Funding Drawn down	Unspent
	£	£	£
2000	7,212,000	6,595,549	616,451
2001	10,120,000	9,694,733	425,267
2002	10,550,000	9,200,109	N/A

In accordance with best practice, funding is not paid to the North/South Language Implementation Body in advance of demonstrated need in line with objectives in approved business plans.