Vol. 538 No. 5
44 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money paid annually from his Department to the Irish Red Cross Society; and his views on the recent report arising from the internal review of the organisation. [17941/01]
My Department administers a grant-in-aid to the Irish Red Cross Society, which this year amounts to £609,000. The grant-in-aid mainly covers salaries of 14 permanent staff in the headquarters of the society and salary and related expenses for a staff member on full-time secondment to the Directorate for Asylum Seekers Services, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It also includes the State's annual contribution of £100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.
I have received a copy of the strategic review of the Irish Red Cross Society. Officials in my Department are currently studying the review to enable them to respond to any legislative changes which may be required. As I have previously indicated, the Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. I do not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs. However, should the review require any legislative changes by my Department I will bring forward appropriate legislation.
