The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced the allocation of €7 million for equality measures in disadvantaged areas.
The money will go to develop projects in the RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning Investment and Development) areas, based on existing pilot projects that have been successful.
About 70 such projects are receiving funding under the first phase of the Equality for Women programme, according to a spokeswoman for Mr McDowell. These range from literacy projects for women in very disadvantaged areas to attempts to co-ordinate the work of existing service providers.
In addition to the funding for the RAPID areas, €2 million will be allocated to further learning projects, and FÁS has been allocated €1 million for its "Gateways for Women" initiative, aimed at assisting women return to the workforce.
The Equality Authority has been allocated €300,000 for its Equality Reviews and Action Plans, which it is carrying out on behalf of the Government.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, announced grants totalling €1.7 million for development projects in 18 seafood companies in the State.
The companies' own investments and the grant aid total €7.3 million.
The investment would create new jobs in peripheral coastal communities as well as maintaining valuable existing employment, the Minister said.
The latest round of development projects was the third tranche of approvals under the Government's programme. Total investment of over €29.3 million had now been approved for the seafood processing sector under the National Development Plan, he said.
The Minister of State for Education and Science, Ms Síle de Valera, also announced new grants yesterday.
Three Government-sponsored youth schemes are to benefit from a 4 per cent increase in funding under a spending review announced by Ms de Valera.
The initiatives being recognised are Special Projects for Disadvantaged Youth, the Youth Services Grants Scheme and Youth Information Centres.
Ms de Valera also announced €100,000 in new funding for projects to address such specific issues as early school leaving, and substance abuse among young people.