Vol. 402 No. 10
11 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason he rejected the submission of the Coolock Community Law Centre for funding on a permanent basis in the light of the Combat Poverty Agency assessment; the reason the allocation made did not provide fully for the annual needs of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 year. I also arranged for an additional grant of £10,000 in late 1988 to clear the centre's long standing overdraft and for a further once-off grant of £6,000 in late 1989. At the same time, I also arranged for a comprehensive evaluation of the centre's activities to be carried out by the Combat Poverty Agency.
In the light of the results of this review which I received in July 1989, the Government decided that the centre should continue to be funded by the agency at the increased level of £70,000 per year in the period 1990 to 1992. These arrangements represent a very significant improvement in the level of funding being provided to the centre while at the same time providing the centre with secure funding for the three year period ending in December 1992.
Will the Minister agree that the funding at £70,000 is insufficient and that for another two years the staff of the Coolock Community Law Centre will feel very insecure about the long term stability of the centre? Will he not agree that the only solution to this problem is that there be permanent fixed funding to meet 100 per cent of the running cost of the centre given the service it provides to the people not just of Coolock but of the north side of the city in general?
This is a law centre and does a certain amount of its work in the area of social services. I have provided a very substantial amount of money and the kind of security the centre wanted for the coming three year period. During that period the activities of the centre and the longer term funding of the centre can be examined. I understand that the centre is currently having discussions about that area in relation to its work for justice.
Will the Minister not agree that due to the inadequate funding we are now to be faced with a year in year out crisis in the Coolock Community Law Centre which has been the pattern in the past? Will he not agree further that it seems we could pass a Supplementary Estimate for £12 million for the Taoiseach's office the other night without a blink, that money available to the State is being misdirected; that the Minister and the Government want the Coolock Community Law Centre off their backs altogether, and that that is the long term desire and design of this Government?
I think the Deputy will find the funding for the last three years was £60,000 and I am providing £70,000 on a fixed basis for three years ahead. That is a security of funding at a higher level than existed previously and that is very much appreciated by the centre. The further extension of the work of the centre in the area of providing civil legal aid is a matter which the Coolock Community Law Centre is currently discussing with the Department of Justice.
The Minister is obviously recognising the need for and the excellence of the work of the law centre which is operating on a shoe-string. Will he not indicate that at the end of the 1990-92 period he will again favourably review the situation concerning further funding? I think he is coming very close to doing so.
I have made it very clear that I have made secure funding available for three years, up to 1992. The law centre is discussing its own future and the possible extent of its work in the future with the Department of Justice.
