Vol. 521 No. 3
129 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has received a grant application from the group BASE adult education group, Brackenstown Road, Swords, Co. Dublin; if he will give favourable consider ation to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17005/00]
My Department operates a range of grants schemes which offer 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.
Community groups seeking funding under the various grants schemes operated by my Department are required to have an anti-poverty focus and to promote the participation of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion. In assessing applications received under the various schemes, my Department must establish the extent to which groups, and the particular project for which funding is sought, addresses such poverty and exclusion.
In allocating funding it is also necessary to take account of the overall demands under the schemes and the level of funding available to meet these demands. I can confirm that the Dublin north regional office of my Department have received an application under the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations from BASE adult education group.
As a large number of applications have been received and will take time to process, it is not possible to indicate at this stage if funding can be allocated to this group under this year's scheme. However, the group will be contacted as soon as a decision regarding their application has been made.
