Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 3

Written Answers. - Family Services.

Ivor Callely

Question:

229 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which community groups can apply to avail of the allocated moneys for the development of family services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2707/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Voluntary and community groups play an important part in improving the quality of the lives of people by helping them to develop the capacity to change their situation for the better. However, disadvantaged communities require support to enable them to realise this potential and to play a real part and have a real say in their own development. Acknowledging this my Department has, for a number of years, supported local self-help and community development initiatives through its many programmes and grant schemes.

This year there is an enhanced emphasis in my Department's programmes and grant schemes on supporting families and parenting, and as provided for in the 1998 budget, my Department now has responsibility for a range of family services. These include the following:

an extra £600,000 for marriage and child counselling bringing the total provision to £1.5 million; an extra £600,000 for the family mediation service bringing the total provision to £900,000; an extra £700,000 for family and community resource centres; and £1,456,000 for the scheme of grants to community and family support groups.

In addition, a new family affairs unit is being established to co-ordinate family policy generally, to initiate research, to developing parenting information and a pilot local office project.

My Department has recently taken over from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform responsibility for making grants to organisations engaged in marriage and child counselling. I hope shortly to be in a position to announce the procedure to be followed by such organisations in applying for grants from my Department.

Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme:

Since 1994 funding has been made available to a number of family resource centres. Recognising the important role played by these centres in supporting families the family and community resource programme is being expanded in 1998. Details regarding the programme will shortly be available in my Department's publication "Supports for Community Development and Family Support Groups 1998-1999 (SW85)". Community groups wishing to apply for inclusion in this programme should apply directly to the Voluntary and Community Services section of my Department with relevant information as detailed in this booklet.

In addition to these programmes my Department has for many years provided assistance to voluntary and community groups through a range of once-off grant schemes: scheme of grants to voluntary organisations; scheme of grants to locally-based women's groups; scheme of grants to locally-based men's groups; scheme of grants to lone parent groups; community development education and training grants scheme.

As many of these groups provide supports for the family my Department has this year introduced a new integrated scheme of grants to community and family support groups, integrating the former schemes of grants to locally-based women's groups, locally-based men's groups and lone parent groups.

Scheme of Grants to Community and Family Support Groups: This scheme will provide grants to locally-based community and family support groups involved in programmes of self-help and personal development designed to tackle poverty and disadvantage and improve family life. This scheme will continue the existing supports for women's, men's and lone parents groups, while also giving the Department the flexibility to respond to the needs of local community development groups that comprise both men and women, family support groups that focus on helping individuals and communities in the family context.

This scheme, along with the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations and the community development education and training grants scheme, will be advertised in the national and provincial newspapers in early February. Application forms will be available from the Department's network of regional offices and groups will be invited to submit applications before the closing date in mid-March. Applications will be processed as soon as possible after the closing date.

In addition to the once-off grant schemes, three year core-funding in the range £8,000 to £20,000 is available for more established and developed groups with a specific anti-poverty focus who work with a wider group of disadvantaged people and have the potential to make a substantial impact in their local communities with enhanced funding. Groups wishing to be considered should apply directly to the voluntary and community services section of my Department providing details as outlined in the previously mentioned SW85.

In addition to the new initiatives being introduced in 1998, my Department will also continue to support families in the community through the community development programme and through the money advice and budgeting service. The year 1998 will see the expansion of both these programmes to ensure the provision of continued support to the most vulnerable in society through a range of practical initiatives.