Ivor Callely
Question:31 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the budget allocation to the National Social Service Board and the board's annual running costs. [2314/97]
Written Answers. - National Social Service Board.
The 1997 Estimates for my Department provide for an allocation of £2,155,000 in respect of the National Social Service Board which includes operating costs. As announced in last week's budget, an additional sum of £760,000 has been provided in 1997 to enable the board to continue a significant development programme which will expand and improve its level of services, including those provided through the network of citizens information centres; its recently launched computerised database of information on social services; and its support for the development of the independent information giving sector. This additional allocation brings the board's budget for 1997 to £2,915,000.