THE Government was now past the halfway stage in the allocation of £111 million in funding for designated areas throughout the country - a project that would revolutionise and revitalise the approach to urban development according to the Minister for European Affairs and Local Development.
Speaking in Cork yesterday at the launch of an action plan for the city, Mr Mitchell said £65 million has so far been allotted under the programme, and that the remaining £46 million would be allocated within weeks. All of the funding would be spent by the end of 1999, he added.
"Action plans similar to the one being launched in Cork will soon be in place in 38 areas nationwide. These plans will act as a catalyst to revive areas that have been left behind at a time of unprecedented material wealth in Ireland. Even at this stage, it is now possible to predict confidently that more than 8,000 jobs will be created in a total of 38 disadvantaged areas across the country before the end of 1999.
"What is more, the strong indications are that this local approach to job creation can become the most cost effective method of creating real and sustainable employment yet devised in this country.
Mr Mitchell added that the European Commission President, Mr Jacques Santer, had drawn heavily on Ireland's local development model in a document circulated to the 15 governments of the member states as part of the fight back against unemployment - now afflicting 17 1/2 million people across the union.
"This document proposes bringing together the resources of State agencies, the social partners and local communities to tackle unemployment in a decentralised way. This is the essence of the area partnership approach which was pioneered here in Cork" he said.
The chairman of the Cork City Partnership, Mr John O'Callaghan, said the project was unique in a number of ways. It began on a pilot basis on the north side of the city and was subsequently extended to include the entire city. It was representative of the largest number of people in any of the partnerships currently operating throughout the country.
"We are a co operative effort of community, public sector and the social partners, and we see our role as promoting sustainable local development in creating employment opportunities for marginalised and excluded sectors of society," he added.