Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

377 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a grant under the 1997 scheme of grants to voluntary organisations for an organisation (details supplied) in County Dublin was refused, in view of the fact that the organisation was told by his Department on 7 November 1997 that the grant had been approved and it was confirmed on 16 December 1997 that the cheque would issue before 31 December 1997; the reason the organisation was treated by his Department in this way; if his Department will review the decision in view of the circumstances outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12326/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The group referred to in the Deputy's question applied for a grant under my Department's 1997 scheme of grants to voluntary organisations. This scheme is one of a number of schemes operated by my Department which concentrate on a wide range of support for local self-help groups, community development, welfare rights and information work, and on the provision of seed money to enable community groups to pilot initiatives identified as meeting new emerging community needs.

The groups supported through these schemes are typically involved in a range of projects which may include home management programmes, advice services, self-development programmes, community education, leadership skills, etc. Under the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations, under which the group made their application, grants may be made to groups who fulfil the overall criteria, for renovation or acquisition of premises, the purchase of equipment or transport, once off publications or research or other special projects. The group in question submitted an application under this scheme in 1997 seeking funding of £4,000 towards the cost of various items.

From the application the overall focus of the group appeared to be that of a tenant management group involved in environmental enhancement, lobbying on behalf of local residents, acting as an intermediary between tenants and Dublin Corporation and also as a sponsor for a community employment scheme through which local people were enhancing their office and environmental improvement skills. As the aim of the scheme operated by my Department is not primarily to support groups involved in this range of activities the group were not approved for a grant.

The process by which grant applications are dealt with involves recommendations by staff at local level which are submitted for final assessment by the voluntary and community services section of my Department. No decision can be given until this assessment and approval process is completed. My Department regrets that a misunderstanding appears to have arisen in this case and is taking steps to ensure that such misunderstandings do not occur in future.