Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - Voluntary Groups Funding.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

133 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Energy if he will give details of the funding, if any, which is available to voluntary groups under any of the following, or any other headings, and if he will also outline the means of application: (a) development of community centres, (b) youth activities, (c) crèches, (d) women in education, (e) education in rural areas, (f) anti-poverty, (g) women's groups, (h) rural enterprise, (i) day care centres, (j) care of the elderly, (k) laundry, (l) meals on wheels, (m) tidy towns, (n) setting up community co-ops, (o) alternative energy, (p) mother and child, (q) development in traditional craft, (r) sport and (s) health.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

In relation to (f) anti-poverty and (o) alternative energy, while there are no formal schemes in operation in these areas, my Department has over the past few years provided grant assistance on an ad hoc basis towards the work of a charitable organisation, Energy Action, which is engaged in draught-proofing the homes of the needy and elderly in Dublin. My Department has also provided small sums to certain organisations involved in the promotion of energy conservation and alternative energy. Generally speaking, these contributions are made towards the costs of organising conferences and seminars.

In relation to (h) rural enterprise and (n) setting up community co-ops., the forest service of my Department process requests under the forestry operational programme for structural aid for associations of persons exploiting woodland. All such proposals are considered on their merits and projects are selected for assistance on the basis of their capacity to: make a particular contribution to the development of the forestry sector or the expansion of the afforestation programme; cover needs not met by existing associations/facilities in the region in question; promote the consolidation of farm forestry in the region concerned.

Grant aid is payable up to a maximum of 60 per cent of the eligible investment expenditure.

Under the operational programme for rural development, grant aid is available under the planned recreational forestry scheme to public agencies to encourage community involvement and for promotional and educational work.