Micheál Martin
Question:270 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will allocate funding under the scheme of grants to voluntary and community groups to the Irish Friends of the Suicide Bereaved based in Cork. [22725/96]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The Cork Friends of the Suicide Bereaved applied to my Department this year under the scheme of grants to locally-based women's groups for funding towards the costs of two residential weekends including the costs of facilitators.
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.
While this group received funding on a once-off basis in 1995 towards the cost of office equipment and furniture, funding is not normally provided by my Department towards the ongoing costs of services that come within the remit of other statutory agencies. Their current application has therefore not been approved.
This would include providing support services to people who have suffered a bereavement through suicide, which is the responsibility of the Department of Health.