asked the Minister for Social Welfare the funds which are available currently to his Department from national lottery moneys for grant aiding special projects; and when this money will be allocated.
171.
Written Answers. - National Lottery Allocations.
166.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount of moneys allocated to date from the proceeds of the national lottery through his Department; the total amount of actual payments made; the total reserves still available, if any, from the national lottery; the amount likely to be spent in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 171 together.
This year a total of £900,000 has been provided from the national lottery for the scheme of grants to voluntary bodies administered by my Department. This includes £750,000 for once-off grants to voluntary organisations in the social services area, a special provision of £100,000 which has already been allocated and paid to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for personal development and home management courses and £50,000 for a pilot grant scheme to enable voluntary bodies to involve unemployed people in the voluntary work option.
Grants amounting to £750,000 have already been approved for 112 organisations in the social services area. All but 28 of these have been paid and the balance will issue as soon as the necessary administrative procedures are completed by the organisations concerned.
The pilot grant scheme for voluntary bodies was launched at the end of July. Applications are being examined at present and grants will be approved for payment shortly.