Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.
Michael Moynihan
Question:
433
Mr. M. Moynihan
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the funding allocated each year from 1995 to 2001 by his Department for Cork north west; the specific project investments; and the major developments which began or major service improvements which were funded as a result of an increase in funding in each of these years.
[8069/02]
I understand that this question refers specifically to the voluntary and community services funding administered by my Department.
The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has been directly involved in activities to combat moneylending since the publication in 1988 of a report by the Combat Poverty Agency entitled Moneylending and Low Income Families. The 1992 budget provided €330,200 for the establishment of five pilot projects around the country, aimed at building new and more comprehensive approaches to combating the problems of moneylending and over-indebtedness. The budget, for what has become the money advice and budgeting service, MABS, has grown from €330,200 in 1992 – five pilot projects – to €9,702,000 in 2002 – 52 projects.
MABS provides money advice for local communities, including the publication of information on money management and debt counselling; it is targeted primarily at individuals and families who have problems with debt or moneylending and who are on low income or in receipt of social welfare; and it assists its clients in accessing sources of low cost credit through credit unions.
Funding for the years 1995 to 2000 to MABS projects which deal with Cork north west:
|
Year
|
North Cork(Mallow)
|
Charlevilleand district
|
West Cork(Dunmanway)
|
|
1995-96
|
€66,400
|
–
|
–
|
|
1997
|
€63,500
|
€53,400
|
–
|
|
1998
|
€90,200
|
€63,500
|
€15,900
|
|
1999
|
€128,500
|
€78,800
|
€77,900
|
|
2000
|
€117,000
|
€88,200
|
€95,800
|
|
2001
|
€122,300
|
€385,300*
|
€127,000
|
* Includes €286,900 for the purchase, renovation and extension of a premises.
My Department has also funded a number of once-off grant schemes under the community development support programme which concentrate on the provision of support for local self-help groups, community development, welfare rights and information work. The once-off grant schemes currently available are as follows–
Scheme of grants to voluntary organisations: these grants are made for renovation or acquisition of premises, the purchase of equipment or transport, once-off publications or research or other special projects.
Community development education and training grants scheme: the purpose of this scheme is to fund local community and voluntary groups for funding and education initiatives. For example, programmes which strengthen and increase the skills and knowledge of management committees.
Scheme of grants for locally-based community and family support groups: grants are provided for programmes of self help and personal development designed to tackle poverty and disadvantage and improve family life. Applications under these schemes were advertised in the national press on 14 January 2002 with a closing date of 22 February 2002.
Scheme of community support for older people: the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has, since 1996, operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to provide funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people.
Community development support programmes: my Department also operates a number of long-term funding programmes which are collectively referred to as the community development support programme. It includes the community development programme, the family and community services resource centre programme and the programme of core funding to locally based community and family support groups. The purpose of these programmes is to provide seed money to enable locally based community groups to pilot initiatives in relation to poverty and disadvantage.
The programmes are concerned with promoting positive change in society in favour of those who benefit least from economic development and are focused primarily on enhancing the capacity of those experiencing poverty and disadvantage to participate more effectively in society.
The Family Mediation Service provides a professional and confidential service for couples who have decided to separate, or who have already separated, to negotiate their own separation agreement. The service is free and available at 11 locations nation-wide. The FMS is an integral part of my Department.
Details of the projects funded under the schemes indicated above have been made available to the Dáil Library each year, from their commencement to the year 2000, for the information of members. Details of the groups funded by my Department in the year 2001 are currently being finalised and will be made available within the coming weeks.
There are no community development projects or family resource centres in Cork north west, nor are there any family mediation service offices.
