asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals, if any, he has to provide funds which will prevent the Coolock Community Law Centre, Dublin 5 closing its doors to new clients in the coming weeks.
Written Answers. - Coolock (Dublin) Community Law Centre.
11.
In 1987 I arranged for the Combat Poverty Agency to fund Coolock Community Law Centre for a three year period to the end of 1989. This funding amounted to £60,000 per annum. I also arranged for an additional grant of £10,000 from the agency in late 1988 to clear the centre's long-standing overdraft.
When the agency assumed responsibility for funding the centre for the period 1987 to 1989, they undertook to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the centre's activities. This review has now been completed.
Following recent discussions which I have had with representatives of the centre, I have made the necessary arrangements with the Combat Poverty Agency for the provision of a further grant, in addition to the £60,000 already made available this year, to meet the centre's immediate funding needs.
The question of future funding of the centre is being examined within my Department at present. This examination will take full account of the evaluation report on the centre's activities and of the recommendations of the Combat Poverty Agency in relation to funding. I intend to bring forward proposals shortly for consideration by the Government and an announcement on the future funding of the centre will be made as soon as possible.