Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Coolock (Dublin) Law Centre.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

109 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason he sanctioned assistance to Coolock Community Law Centre, Dublin 5, at a level £50,000 short of the annual budget required by the centre for 1990; and the proposals which are being prepared to assist and maintain the centre.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The amount of funding for the Coolock Community Law Centre has been increased significantly from £60,000 to £70,000 this year, and for each of the three years from 1990 to 1992. The centre has been informed of the position.

In 1987 I arranged for the Combat Poverty Agency to fund the Coolock Community Law Centre for a three year period to the end of 1989. This funding amounted to £60,000 per annum. I also arranged for additional grants from the agency of £10,000 in late 1988 to clear the centre's long standing overdraft and £6,000 in late 1989.

During this period, the agency arranged for a comprehensive review of the centre's activities. In the light of this review the Government decided that the centre should continue to be funded by the agency at the increased level of £70,000 for a further three year.