Under my Department's scheme of grants to voluntary organisations, once-off grants may be made to help voluntary and community groups working with disadvantaged groups or in disadvantaged areas. The number of applications received last year under this scheme was in the region of 1,000.
An application for grant assistance was received from the person concerned towards the cost of two residential weekends followed by two ten-week courses in bereavement counselling for young adults but could not be met out of the limited resources available. The person concerned was notified to this effect last November. In any event it would appear that this project would not come within the remit of the Department of Social Welfare's scheme as the Department of Education has responsibility for youth services and clubs, and counselling services come under the remit of the health boards.