Vol. 569 No. 4
106 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the funding of ?250,000 allocated under the White Paper on Voluntary Activity in 2002 to the Department of Agriculture and Food for the sole purpose of the federations, networks and umbrella grant scheme will be transferred to his Department for spending in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [217827/03]
As the Deputy is aware, the White Paper provided for an allocation of €2.539 million in each year over a three year period for a scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector in providing support services to their member groups. Because of the diverse nature of the scheme, the funding was initially allocated across the Votes of ten relevant Departments. However, with effect from 25 June 2002, certain responsibilities of a number of Departments, including the Department of Agriculture and Food, transferred to the new Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. My Department has been in communication with the Department of Agriculture and Food, which has indicated that no funding is available for the scheme in its 2003 Estimates.
I understand that the funding presently available for the scheme in 2003 is €1.827 million, spread across six Departments as follows:
|
€ |
|
|
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
650,000 |
|
Department of Foreign Affairs |
200,000 |
|
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
282,000 |
|
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform |
135,000 |
|
Department of Health and Children |
306,000 |
|
Department of Education and Science |
254,000 |
