Mary Wallace
Ceist:67 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the voluntary groups of people with disabilities which receive funding from his Department; and the amount received by each group. [8167/95]
Written Answers. - Funding for the Disabled.
My Department operates a number of grant schemes for voluntary and community groups, including the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations, scheme of grants for locally-based women's groups, scheme of grants for locally-based men's groups and scheme of grants for lone parents. These are all once-off grant schemes. The 1995 schemes were advertised on 9 March and the closing date for receipt of applications was 26 April. Details of all grants paid under these various schemes in 1993 and 1994, including the grants paid to disability groups, have been placed in the Oireachtas Library for the information of members.
In addition to these once-off grant schemes, my Department operates a community development programme. The aim of this programme is to provide financial assistance to projects towards the staffing and equipping of local resource centres which provide a focal point for community development activities in an area and to other specialised community development projects. Participating projects are funded for a three year period. One such specialised project is a special project for people with disabilities operated through the Irish Wheelchair Association. This project was established in 1993. It received funding of £20,000 in that year, £30,000 in 1994 and has a commitment to £40,000 in 1995.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Department of Health has responsibility for funding of voluntary organisations providing social services appropriate to the health services. This includes organisations dealing with people with disabilities.