Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 1

Written Answers. - Counselling Service.

Michael Bell

Question:

95 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the number and amount of grants approved by him for each of the past five years for marriage and child counselling in County Louth; and the comparative figure for the previous five year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10692/97]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

A scheme of grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage counselling services was instituted by my Department in 1994. Prior to 1994 there was no money at my Department's disposal that could be used for this purpose. In 1996 the scope of the scheme was extended to include voluntary organisations providing counselling to children whose parents have separated. Five counselling organisations in County Louth have benefited under the scheme each year since it was instituted, as follows:

Organisation	1994	1995	1996	1997 (initial payment)
	£	£	£	£
ACCORD Drogheda	10,000	10,000	10,000	2,500
Dundalk Christian Counselling	1,500	2,000	2,500	500
ACCORD Dundalk	6,500	5,000	7,000	1,000
Dundalk Counselling Centre	13,000	13,000	13,000	3,000
Dundalk Family of God	2,500	2,500	4,000	500
Total	33,500	32,500	36,500	7,500

The figures shown for 1997 represent the initial payment made to date in 1997 by my Department to applicant organisations. Determination of the total grant which will be paid in the course of 1997 to individual applicant organisations must await completion of the processing of the application forms submitted to my Department.