Written Answers. - Child Support.
David Stanton
Question:
37
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the support available for programmes for children experiencing the loss of a parent through separation or bereavement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29817/00]
The Government is committed to adopting a families first approach by putting the family at the centre of all its policies. In 2001, Government investment in the development of family services in my Department will amount to over £16.5 million, compared to £1.5 million in 1997.
Following the allocation of significant extra resources in last week's budget, a record £4.81 million is being provided in 2001 for voluntary organisations providing marriage counselling services, marriage preparation courses, child counselling services in relation to parental separation and bereavement counselling and support services. Some 400 groups providing these services have already received grant aid amounting to £3.75 million in this current year.
Since 1998, when I extended the scheme to cover voluntary organisations providing bereavement counselling and support services, an increased number of organisations providing these specialised services have received grant aid each year. This year to date some 380 organisations throughout the country providing child and/or bereavement counselling and support have received grant aid amounting to £1.03 million. Organisations which have received significant grants include: Teen Between, an initiative of Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services Limited, MRCS, and the National Youth Federation, NYF, to provide support and counselling to children whose parents have separated, £23,500 this year; Solas, a specialised bereavement service for children administered by Barnardos, £60,000 this year; Rainbows, which provide a particular type of support for children whose lives have been affected by bereavement or parental separation. The Rainbows National Office has received £110,000 over the past two years to develop their programme. A further 75 Rainbows groups throughout the country received individual grants amounting to £60,000 in total this year.
Other specialised groups which have benefited include Loved Ones of Sea Tragedies, LOST, and Headway (Ireland) Ltd.
I am pleased to say that in addition to the £1 million extra investment provided for the grant scheme in the budget for 2001 special allocations have again been provided for two groups providing specialised bereavement services. Rainbows National Office and Turning Point are to receive £70,000 and £40,000 respectively to further develop their services.
I am advised that the 2001 scheme of grants for voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling services will be advertised in January.
