Mary O'Rourke
Question:230 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the case of an organisation (details supplied) in County Westmeath who seek special funding from his Department. [23000/96]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
My Department operates a scheme under which grants may be made towards the cost of equipment, premises and other once-off items to a range of voluntary organisations including community development and area development groups, welfare rights and information groups, mutual support and self-help bodies and coordinating and umbrella organisations working with disadvantaged groups. The focus of the scheme is on the most disadvantaged groups and communities and to be eligible, groups must subscribe to a self-help, community development ethos and must involve the intended beneficiaries in the management and design of the project.
The scheme was advertised in January of this year. There is no record in the Department of an application having been received by the group concerned by the closing date in March last. It would appear, however, that projects of the kind envisaged by the group and the provision of running costs are outside the remit of the Department's scheme. The 1997 grant scheme will be advertised in January next and groups may apply for funding towards a project consistent with the grant guidelines to the Department's local regional office at that time.