Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 2

Written Answers. - Anti-Racism Measures.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

66 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the cut of 63% in the 2003 allocation for the anti-racism awareness campaign and the cut of 4% in the allocation for the national consultative committee on racism and interculturalism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23730/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

The cut in the national anti-racism awareness programme for 2003 must be balanced against an exceptionally high allocation in 2002 of €2.59 million, of which the awareness programme expects to spend €2.3 million. The Government allocated €5.7 million over a three year period to the awareness programme, which translates to an average of €1.9 million per annum. The programme has been allocated €958,000 for 2003. This is €1 million less than the average of €1.9 million annual spend implied in the original Government allocation. The reduction is part of a number of reductions across the board in areas of the public sector in 2003.

The NCCRI was established in July 1998, funded mainly by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The committee provides a forum for Government Departments, agencies and non-governmental organisations to come together within the area of anti-discrimination. Its overall aim is to provide an ongoing structure to develop programmes and actions aimed at developing an integrated approach against discrimination, particularly racism, and to act in a policy advisory role to the Government. Under section 38, framework 111, of the PPF, increased funding was promised to NCCRI to enable it to undertake additional measures to address racism. In 2001 the allocation was increased to €250,138 with €340,000 for 2002. The reduction to €323,000 for 2003 is a part of an overall number of reductions across the board in areas of the public sector.