Vol. 515 No. 6
26 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will provide increased funding for the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Multi-culturalism arising from the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6843/00]
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, Framework III, paragraph 38, contains a commitment to the provision of additional funding to the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism to enable it to undertake additional measures to address racism, to promote positive inclusion of minority ethnic groups, and to develop public awareness initiatives at both national and local level.
Since its establishment in July 1998, the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism has received an increase each year in its funding. In 1998, it received £20,000. This amount was increased to £90,000 in 1999, which was the committee's first full year of operation, and an allocation of £150,000 has been provided to the committee to fund its operations this year. The committee has also been provided by my Department with an office premises and facilities in Dublin. In addition to funding provided by my Department, I understand £50,000 has been allocated to the committee by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, under the community development programme to establish a community development support unit for community groups working with refugees and asylum seekers.
