Jimmy Deenihan
Question:9 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department has responsibility for the working against poverty grants scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8195/03]
Written Answers - Departmental Grants.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:27 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the person or group which has responsibility for administering the future rounds of the working against poverty grants scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8430/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 27 together.
The working against poverty grants scheme aims to strengthen the ability of community and voluntary groups to contribute to policy making at national and local level with a view to improving supports for people who are living in poverty. Grants are available for research, evaluation and public awareness projects. The scheme has been administered until now by the Combat Poverty Agency, under the aegis of my Department.
As the Deputy will be aware, functions of my Department relating to the community and voluntary sector were transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs last year.
That Department was established with a view to producing a more co-ordinated and coherent engagement by the State with local communities and voluntary groups.
One consequence of these changes is that consideration is currently being given by officials of both Departments to whether any functions currently undertaken by agencies under the aegis of my Department would be appropriate to the new Department. One of the schemes being considered in this context is the working against poverty grants scheme.
Pending the outcome of these discussions the Combat Poverty Agency has decided not to award any further grants under the scheme at this time. A decision on the future administration of the scheme will be announced shortly.