Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
850 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the services and structures transferred to his Department from the Department of Social and Family Affairs into 2002; and how he has developed services in the meantime. [12117/04]
View answer851 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs how he improved, replaced or enhanced services transferred to his Department from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. [12118/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 851 together.
The responsibilities transferred to my Department from the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs are set out in the Community Affairs (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002 (SI 327 of 2002). Certain functions on anti-poverty networks and volunteering were transferred from the Combat Poverty Agency and from Comhairle with effect from 1 January.
The principal developments since the establishment of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs are as follows:
Charities
A consultation paper on establishing a modern statutory framework for charities was announced in December 2003. It proposes, at section 9, to replace in its entirety existing charities legislation. The paper is the subject of a public consultation and has a deadline of 28 May 2004 for receipt of submissions. It can be accessed on the Charities Regulation web page at www.pobail.ie.
Dormant Accounts
The Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act extends the scheme established under the Dormant Accounts Act 2001 to unclaimed life assurance policies. It was passed in February 2003. The commencement order (SI 92 of 2003) was signed on 6 March 2003. In September 2003 the disbursement plan of the Dormant Accounts Disbursements Board for up to €30 million was approved. In December 2003, the Government decided on new arrangements for the fund's disbursements. My Department is preparing draft legislation to give effect to the decision.
White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity
New funding schemes to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies and for training and supports in the community and voluntary sector were introduced in 2003. They will channel funding of some €5.5 million and €1.9 million, respectively, to 56 community and voluntary organisations over the period 2003-2006. From 1 January 2004 my Department assumed responsibility for the programme for support for national anti-poverty networks from the Combat Poverty Agency and €1.43 million will be expended under the programme in 2004. The White Paper Implementation and Advisory Group continued to meet on a regular basis. Substantive matters considered included the multiplicity of funding sources for the sector, voluntary activity units, accreditation of training, volunteering, and best practice standards in the voluntary and statutory sectors. A review of the IAG's three year remit is under way.
Volunteering
Responsibility for operational grants to support volunteering for three volunteeringorganisations transferred from Comhairle to my Department on 1 January 2004. A sum of €0.27 million will be provided to the organisations in 2004.
Grants to Community and Voluntary Groups
Fifteen new projects were approved under the community development programme in 2003. It is hoped, subject to resources, to further expand the programme by bringing onstream further projects later this year. My Department is restructuring the programme's support service. My Department also continued to provide once-off grants to locally based voluntary and community groups. The 2004 scheme, for which €2.7 million is available in 2004, will be advertised nationally on 29 May. The scheme of community support for older people is under review. I intend to advertise details of the 2004 scheme in the coming months. An allocation of €2.4 million has been made for the scheme in 2004.
Student Summer Jobs Scheme
It was decided to discontinue the scheme in 2003. Partnerships and community groups have been requested to offer practical assistance and support to students in finding temporary summer employment in the labour market as required.
