Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
178 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding that has been granted by the State to organisations (details supplied) in each of the past five years; her views on the fact that these groups need to be funded adequately so that they can carry out their work effectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23151/04]
View answerVoluntary organisations such as Schizophrenia Ireland, Lucia Foundation, and their members play an essential role, together with the statutory agencies, in providing mental health services. I am committed to encouraging the activities of such voluntary organisations. The level of funding made available by the Department of Health and Children and the health boards to Schizophrenia Ireland, Lucia Foundation, in the period 1999-2003* is as follows: 1999, £399,300; 2000, £414,437; 2001, £551,697; 2002, €989,589; 2003, €1,021,348.
The other organisation referred to by the Deputy, the Irish Psychiatric Association, which was established in 2001, is an organisation of psychiatrists focused on policy and service development. One-off funding of €15,000 was made available to the association in 2001 towards the cost of its inaugural conference, which focused on the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001.
*2004 audited accounts are not yet available
