Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 5

Written Answers. - Grant Aid for AIDS Group.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

9 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will have arrangements made for grant aid to be provided for the health project entitled Positively Irish Action on AIDS based in London, England; the contacts, if any, he has had with the health authority in London who has discontinued its financial contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7970/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The important work which Positively Irish Action on AIDS carries out, in addressing the needs of Irish people affected by HIV and AIDS in Britain in a caring and culturally sensitive way, has for a number of years received funding from the annual DÍON allocation, which is provided by the Irish Government through my Department to assist voluntary organisations in Britain working with the Irish emigrant community who experience difficulties in Britain.

Positively Irish Action on AIDS is recognised by the DÍON Committee as one of the most professional of the voluntary organisations which it supports. I would like to reassure the Deputy that DÍON support, at a small increase over its 1995 grant level within the tight budgetary constraints which obtain on the DÍON allocations, can be made available as a continuing contribution towards its staffing cost in 1996. However, the overall prospects of Positively Irish Action on AIDS continuing operations are in the final analysis dependent on funding from UK statutory and other sources and any increase from the DÍON budget will not in itself resolve the organisation's present financial position which I understand remains very difficult.

As the Deputy will be aware, when the Irish Embassy in London became aware of the Inner London HIV Health Commissioners Group's decision to withdraw contracts from Positively Irish Action on AIDS, and thereby effectively end funding, the Ambassador conveyed the Government's concerns to the British Department of Health and the chairman of the DÍON Committee, who is an officer of my Department on secondment to the Embassy, conveyed similar concerns to the relevant health bodies.

I also took the opportunity at the Industry Council of 28 March to raise the Irish Government's concerns directly with my British counterpart who undertook to convey these to his ministerial colleague.

I understand that while Positively Irish Action on AIDS has subsequently been offered short-term transitional funding from one of the health authorities represented on the Health Commissioners Group, the present position remains very difficult and the organisation remains fundamentally de-stabilised. I am advised that Positively Irish Action on AIDS's management committee will take a final decision on its future on 10 June 1996 based on a further review of its financial position at that date.

The Government through the DÍON Committee is continuing to monitor Positively Irish Action on AIDS position and it will provide any further practical assistance it can to the organisation.