Vol. 520 No. 1
295 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has received an application from the Active Retirement Association in respect of a national lottery grant; if he has considered this application; if he will approve an allocation for the association on the merit of its application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/00]
My Department operates a range of grants schemes which offer support for local self-help groups, community development, welfare rights and information work and on the provision of seed money to enable community groups to pilot initiatives identified as meeting new emerging community needs.
Community groups seeking funding under the various grants schemes operated by my 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, my 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.
