Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
20 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that the linkage programme, which is under the umbrella of the probation service, receives a much needed increase in funding for 2005. [32563/04]
View answerThe linkage programme which was set up in February 2000 is funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform through the probation and welfare service, under the national development plan. It is managed by Business in the Community Ireland, a non-profit organisation. The linkage programme has been funded in the amount of €700,000 in the current year. In deciding the 2005 allocation, I will have regard to the overall budget allocation for probation and welfare service funded projects, 75 in total. Due to the increase in the 2005 budget allocation for the probation and welfare service, it is likely that the linkage programme will receive an increase in funding in the coming year.
