Vol. 563 No. 4
625 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will make funding available to meet the increase in rent and moving costs associated with a move by an agency (details supplied) which depends on her Department for funding to the new Northside Civic Centre which has been a key element of the Government's programme to improve the quality of access to public and community services in disadvantaged areas. [8254/03]
The Coolock Community Law Centre is one of a number of organisations which are funded under my Department's scheme of grants for the development and promotion of information and welfare rights. My Department took over direct funding of the centre in 1997 and since that date the amount of money made available to it has increased from £136,000 to €215,000 in 2002.
In discussions with the board of the centre regarding its allocation for 2002, it was agreed that the costs associated with relocating the centre to the proposed new Northside Civic Centre would be met from its own resources. It is understood that the board has resources available for that purpose. Consequently, the need for my Department to provide for relocation expenses does not arise. The question of the additional rent costs associated with the move to the new premises will be considered in the context of discussions with the board of the centre on its allocation for 2003. An application for funding for 2003 has been received from the board and is currently under consideration.
