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.