Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
714 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the after-school education project run by the Lourdes Youth and Community Services in the Seán McDermott Street area of Dublin 1 has been cut by €33,717 in 2004 resulting in a loss of the service for 80 disadvantaged children; if his matter can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11538/04]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in December 2000, this project received approval for staffing funding of almost €305,000 as a contribution towards its staffing costs for a three-year period from the equal opportunities childcare programme. Additional funding amounting to €118,500 for a further year was allocated to the group in December 2003 and this represents a small increase on the group's previous funding from my Department. As a result, I do not understand the reference to a cut in funding in this context.
I understand that the arrangements for the future funding of community groups whose initial contracts for staffing support have lapsed or are due to expire are under active review in my Department at present. It was in this context that a number of projects, including the Lourdes project, have been awarded ongoing funding at the same levels as they previously received to enable them to maintain their services pending the outcome of the review of the staffing measure.
