asked the Minister for Social Welfare to outline the effect of the projects in relation to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme undertaken by the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty with particular reference to the North Eastern Health Board area.
Written Answers. - Pilot Scheme to Combat Poverty.
226.
The supplementary welfare allowances project of the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty is a nationally based research project concerned with an evaluation of the supplementary welfare allowances scheme and will not focus on any one area in particular. A final report on the project is not expected until 1980 at the earliest.
227.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why 37 per cent of the total budget of the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty is represented by staff costs and if this percentage is rising or falling.
The 37 per cent of the total budget represented by staff costs in 1978 is due to the fact that the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty relies to a significant extent on its own staff in the implementation of its programme at project level. The main task of the project team staff is to mobilise local organisations and groups in their own areas towards realising their own resources and potential for development. It is estimated that staff costs will increase from 37 per cent to about 42 per cent in respect of the 1979 budget over 1978 expenditure. This is due mainly to provision having been made in the 1979 budget for the filling of approved posts which were not filled in 1978.
228.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty is not involved in projects to combat poverty in the area of the North Eastern Health Board; if this is the only Health Board in whose area no projects have been undertaken; and if he will ask the committee to discuss poverty in the counties of Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan with officials of the board.
As I informed the Deputy in the course of a reply on 15 February 1979 to a previous question, the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty are, in accordance with their terms of reference, involved in eight local community action projects —in west Donegal, west Connemara, the Beara Peninsula, north Leitrim, the Erris area of County Mayo, the north inner city area of Dublin, Ennis and Galway city. They are also involved in Urban Resource Projects in Waterford, Cork city, Dublin South City area, Ballyfermot, Athlone and with projects with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Threshold, Free Legal Advice Centres Ltd., FLAC. The committee are further involved in projects relating to the supplementary welfare allowances scheme and the social service council scheme. It is correct that none of the specific projects mentioned is in the North Eastern Health Board area and that the projects are in the other health board areas. I do not envisage, because of financial considerations, the committee undertaking any projects further to those in which they are already involved.