Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Grants.

Pat Cox

Question:

43 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, regarding the scheme of grants for locally based women's groups, he has any plans to fund them on a multi-annual, as well as a once off, basis and expand the scheme to include disadvantaged men as well as women.

Liz McManus

Question:

44 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the restrictions on the community grants allocations are such that many organisations are prevented from spending the money on services which are badly needed because the emphasis is on investment in materials and plant; and if he will review the matter in order to make it more appropriate for local voluntary bodies.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 44 together.

My Department operates a scheme of grants for locally-based women's groups, involved in programmes of self-help and personal development and a scheme of grants to voluntary organisations, working with disadvantaged groups or in disadvantaged areas.

Grants under the latter scheme are generally for projects of a once-off nature and for projects that are unable to obtain assistance under grant schemes operated by other statutory agencies, including the health boards who are the main providers of financial assistance to voluntary social services organisations. I might mention that, in keeping with the commitment in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, a review of this scheme was undertaken by my Department which now enables grants to be made, in very exceptional circumstances, for ongoing expenses or running costs, other than wages or salaries.

I am aware of the recommendations made by the Second Commission on the Status of Women in their recent report that funding under the scheme of grants for locally-based women's groups be made available on a multi-annual as well as a once-off basis and that the scheme be expanded to apply to groups including disadvantaged men as well as women. My recent announcement that four women's projects funded by my Department are being included in the community development programme meets that recommendation in the case of three larger, more established projects. Projects in the community development programme are given a three year funding commitment. In relation to the latter recommendation, my view is that there is a continuing need for a scheme specifically aimed at women's self-help and personal development groups. Projects in which men are involved benefit under other supports for voluntary activity operated by my Department, such as the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations and the community development programme.

As Deputies will be aware, I am bringing forward proposals for a White Paper and charter for voluntary activity which will set out a framework for partnerships between the State and voluntary bodies and develop a cohesive strategy for supporting voluntary activity. An inter-departmental task force has been set up under the chairmanship of my Department, to put together detailed proposals for the content of the White Paper and charter. Issues such as multi-annual funding for voluntary organisations and the need for review and perhaps modification of existing schemes of support for voluntary activity are being examined in that context. It is expected that the task force will complete its work by the end of June 1993.

I have already substantially met another of the commission's recommendations that the funding for the women's grants scheme be increased to £1 million. The funding made available by my Department this year for women's groups under various headings comes to £970,000.