Vol. 524 No. 1
120 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will support the application of a community (details supplied) in Charleville, County Cork, in its efforts to fund the cost of a child and family service in view of the inadequacies of provision in this area among State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21815/00]
This project has developed with the support of a number of agencies, including FÁS and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs as well as the Department of Health and Children. I have had inquiries made of the Southern Health Board and I understand the services provided which relate to this Department are mainly the pre-school services which will cater for 50 children on a daily basis. It is intended that ten of these places will be allocated to disadvantaged families and will be part funded from the Southern Health Board's pre-schools budget.
The Southern Health Board also intends funding the salary of the administrator who will take over from the project manager when the service is up and running. This contribution will be in the region of £30,000 per annum. Lottery funding of £15,000 in 1996, £50,000 in 1997 and £25,000 in 1999 was made available by this Department towards the cost of providing a new premises. In addition, a grant of £50,000 was made available in 1998 by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
A further application for lottery funding has been made in respect of 2000. The number of applications for lottery funding far exceeds the resources available. Each application is considered on its merits having regard to the overall funding available, the number of applications received and also the level of funding previously made available. This application is one of a number of applications currently being considered. As soon as a decision has been made my Department will be in contact with the project sponsors.
