Derek McDowell
Question:67 Mr. D. McDowell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the assistance that is available to unemployment action groups seeking to set-up an advice centre. [14770/95]
Written Answers. - Unemployment Action Groups.
The primary means of assistance available from the Department of Social Welfare to the groups mentioned by the Deputy is the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations. Under that scheme, once-off grants may be made to help voluntary and community organisations working with disadvantaged groups or in disadvantaged areas. The grants may be made for renovation or acquisition of premises, the purchase of equipment or transport, once-off publications or research or other special projects. Only in very exceptional circumstances are grants made for ongoing expenses or running costs. Grants towards wages and salaries are not provided under this scheme in any circumstances.
Grants can be made to welfare rights and information groups providing information and support services for the unemployed and this would include unemployment action groups seeking to set up advice centres. This year, grants have been paid to a number of organisations towards the cost of further developing information, advice and welfare rights services throughout the country. These included the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the National Organisation of the Unemployed in regard to their respective networks of unemployment centres around the country.
In addition, the National Social Service Board, for which responsibility was recently transferred to my Department, resources and supports over 80 citizen's information centres and a wide range of other voluntary organisations and community groups engaged in the provision of advice, information and advocacy services.
One of the priorities within my Department is to provide necessary support for the development of a strong independent information and advice giving sector which will operate separately from the statutory bodies already working in that area. This objective will ensure that citizens have an alternative to departmental information at local level in relation to information, advice and assistance when seeking to access their rights and entitlements.