Vol. 471 No. 1
198 Mr. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a grant of £1,000, which his Department sanctioned earlier in 1996, will be paid to a group (details supplied) in County Offaly; the communications, if any, his Department has had with the group since the grant was approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/96]
My Department received an application from the above mentioned group for funding towards the cost of personal development courses under the scheme of grants to locally-based women's groups. Under this scheme grants can be made for a wide range of activities covering almost every aspect of personal and skills development for women. Projects should involve the participants in the running of, and where possible, the design of the project itself. Priority is given to projects aimed at developing the skill and expertise of individuals in setting-up and running projects in their communities; groups in disadvantaged areas; projects aimed at specially disadvantaged groups, and new projects establishing themselves in their communities.
I approved a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of personal development courses under this scheme to the group. The group has been informed that the cheque will issue as soon as the group furnishes my Department with a tax number as required under the tax clearance procedures under which grants from Government bodies are made.
