Vol. 408 No. 1
105 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that voluntary organisations, catering for the handicapped have lost up to £15 million in funding from the proceeds of the sale of tickets due to competition from the national lottery, whereas his Department allocated approximately £3 million from their national lottery allocation to support these voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am very conscious of, and very appreciactive of, the significant role which voluntary organisations play in the provision of health care in Ireland, including in particular voluntary organisations catering for the disabled. Indeed I have been at pains to support and encourage them in every way possible, financial and otherwise. I would remind the Deputy that lottery funds form only a very small proportion of the financial support given to voluntary organisations through the Health Vote. Thus in 1990 well over £100 million was made available through the Health Vote to voluntary organisations catering for the handicapped.
The Deputy will be aware from recent budget statements that the Government are committed to providing additional funding for the development of community-based health services. I would see local voluntary organisations playing an important and indeed enhanced role in that development. As in the past adequate financial resources will be made available whether from Exchequer or national lottery proceeds to enable them make their full contribution to the new service.
