Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 4

Written Answers. - Family Support Services.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

154 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will provide funding for a family and community services resource centre at St. Columba's Centre, Kilflynn, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28878/00]

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

An application seeking funding under the family and community services resource centre programme was received in March 2000.

Groups seeking inclusion in any of my Department's community development support programmes are required to have an anti-poverty focus and to promote the participation of people experiencing poverty and exclusion. They are also required to illustrate the extent to which their particular project addresses poverty and disadvantage.

All applications received under the various support programmes are assessed by an independent technical group comprised of representatives from my Department, Area Development Management, Combat Poverty Agency, Southern Health Board, Westmeath County Council and projects currently funded under this Department's programmes. The function of this group is to establish the extent to which each project adheres to the selection criteria and to advise me accordingly.

The assessment process involves an initial assessment of the application, which is conducted by the voluntary and community services section of my Department, to identify gaps in information, to address queries, etc. so that the technical group will have as much information as possible available when formally assessing the application. In order to collate the required information, this assessment often involves meeting the group to discuss their focus, management structure, aims-objectives etc.

As it was not possible to arrange a mutually convenient date for this meeting, some delay in processing this application has occurred. Officers of my Department did, however, meet St. Columba's centre, Kilflynn on 21 November 2000 to discuss the application.

Following on from this, St. Columba's centre, Kilflynn, was advised to submit additional information pertaining to its ethos and structures, in support of its application.

The group have been advised that once the additional information has been received, its application will be forwarded to the technical group for assessment.