Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:115 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the resources that will be provided to implement the national action plan against racism. [5086/05]
View answerWednesday, 16 February 2005
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Written answers
As I have outlined previously, I have secured sanction from the Government for a core budget of €1 million per annum for each year of the life of the national action plan against racism 2005-08. This money will be used to further the goals of the plan and in particular to: make strategic interventions in the implementation of the plan; pursue specific research or consultancy projects in particular sectors; undertake public awareness-information initiatives, and grant schemes.
The strategic monitoring group set up to oversee implementation of the plan will have a role in the allocation of this money. I draw the Deputy's attention to section 10.4 of the national action plan against racism where a three pronged funding strategy is identified, in particular, refocusing of existing resources through the development of an intercultural dimension to mainstream public policy; identification of specific resources within the annual budget process for the implementation of the plan; and the commitment to realise aspects of the plan as resources become available.
Within this strategy, Departments and agencies will factor into their budgets the necessary allocations consistent with fulfilling agreed commitments under the plan. I would also point that the Government under the Know Racism programme has already invested considerable resources in raising awareness of racism issues to effectively prepare the ground for the strategic approaches set out in the plan. Under the three years of the programme — 2001-03 — some €4.75 million was spent including a total of €1.3 million in grants allocated to 450 successful projects in all 26 counties for the development of local anti-racism initiatives or projects.
In addition, a grant scheme in the sum of €250,000 was announced in October last with the aim of supporting projects to underpin the objectives of the plan. The moneys have now been allocated to 44 projects countrywide.