The recent conference, referred to by the Deputy, was organised by the Eastern Health Board for its staff and an invited group and did not include any personnel from the probation and welfare service of my Department. However, I am aware that the reference to "funding alternatives to custodial sentencing" is a select piece, taken out of context, from a paper presented by the project worker with Ruhama.
The Ruhama women's project which is based at the Mercy Centre, 23 Herbert Street, Dublin 2, works with and on behalf of women involved in prostitution. It organises both individual and group counselling for women, assists in the area of prevention and rehabilitation directly and in liaison with other agencies, raises awareness about the problem and engages in research and integration between European countries.
The Ruhama women's project has a partnership arrangement with the probation and welfare service of my Department and funding of £50,000 has been provided each year during the life time of the European Union – human resources community initiative employment – NOW Programme, which also approved EU funding of approximately £200,000.
My Department is currently considering a proposal received from the Ruhama women's project for funding, when funding from the European Union ceases i.e. for the year 2000. The proposal includes amongst its aims and objectives a Court diversion programme for women which is based on research undertaken in the United States.
