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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 3

Written Answers - Spina Bifida Association.

Richard Bruton

Question:

77 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the acute financial crisis affecting the Dublin branch of the Spina Bifida Society and of the fall-off in their ability to raise voluntary funding, in view of the competition from the national lottery and other difficulties; if his attention has further been drawn to its submission to the health board for the development of new services; and whether he can provide assistance to this invaluable organisation. [6027/98]

Organisations such as the Dublin branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association are funded by the health boards under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, in respect of services provided in the functional area of the relevant board. I note that the branch has already been in touch with the Eastern Health Board about the matter and that a meeting was held with senior health board officers on Monday last. I understand that the parties have agreed to carry out a complete review of the role, work and financing of the organisation with a view to agreeing its core service activity and associated funding to ensure its future viability.

In practice, it is difficult to assess the impact of the national lottery on charitable fundraising or to separate the national lottery impact from other effects such as the decline of popular appeal of some charitable purposes. Some evidence suggests that public contributions to charitable bodies generally have continued to grow since the introduction of the national lottery. Charities and the voluntary sector generally have been significant beneficiaries of lottery funding.

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