Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 5

Written Answers. - Services Provision.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

174 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the capital projects financed by funding from his Department which have commenced or will commence construction in the Waterford constituency during 2000; the amount of money involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12224/00]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

175 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the new services or extension to existing services which have been commenced or will commence in the Waterford constituency funded by finance from his Department during 2000; the amount involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12225/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.

A pilot project to enhance information services for families is under way in Waterford. The project, which is one of three nationally, builds on the one stop shop concept with the aim of providing access to information for families through the social welfare local office. Within the pilot programme an enhanced programme of support will be provided for a small group of customers with complex needs. The resource allocated to the pilot for the year is £120,000, in addition to staffing and accommodation.

This Department has for a number of years operated a range of grants schemes and community development support programmes which concentrate on a wide range of support for local self-help groups, community development, welfare rights and information work, and on the provision of seed and capital funding to enable community groups to pilot initiatives identified as meeting new and emerging community needs.

The 2000 scheme of grants was advertised extensively in the national and provincial newspapers on 27 January 2000. Closing date for receipt of applications was 10 March 2000. Applications are currently being assessed in the regional offices of the Department.

Community groups seeking funding under the various grants schemes operated by this Department are required to have an anti-poverty focus and to promote the participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion. In assessing applications received under the various schemes, the Department must establish the extent to which groups, and the particular project for which funding is sought, addresses such poverty and exclusion. In allocating funding it is also necessary to take account of the overall demands under the schemes and the level of funding available to meet these demands.

As a large number of applications have been received by this Department, it is not possible at present to indicate the number, or possible beneficiaries of grant aid for specific capital projects. Groups in Waterford will be advised by the south-east regional office on the position of their application as soon as all applications have been assessed. Details of all grants made under the various schemes have been made available to the Oireachtas Library each year to 1999 for the information of members.

Details of all the 2000 grants will be likewise made available early in 2001.