Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

97 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding for a project (details supplied) in Dublin 11 which caters for at risk children in view of the fact that assistance has been refused by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the basis the project does not assist parents who wish to take up employment; if he has responded to correspondence from that Department on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11318/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin)

The Eastern Regional Health Authority has informed me that no application for funding regarding this project has been made to the Northern Area Health Board, which is the health board with responsibility for the delivery of health and personal social services for the Dublin 11 area.

I understand from my colleague, Deputy Eoin Ryan, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, that this project is being jointly funded by the Ballymun drugs task force and the Ballymun Partnership. The project is currently being independently evaluated along with other projects funded through the local drugs task forces to determine future funding arrangements.

In addition, I understand from my colleague, Deputy Woods, Minister for Education and Science, that a request received by his Department from the Ballymun drugs task force for funding for the project is under consideration at present.