Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.

John Gormley

Ceist:

108 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the direct funding which has been given for the last decade to the La Leche League from the health promotion unit of his Department has now been terminated and the La Leche League told to seek this funding from local health boards; his views on the fact that the La Leche League's invaluable work, without national funding, will now be underfunded and will suffer accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14007/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The evolving role of my Department and, indeed of the health promotion unit, is reflected in the national health strategy and the national health promotion strategy. These state that if the Department is to address the key areas which it has outlined as being of strategic importance, it is crucial for it to strike the appropriate balance between its day-to-day operational work and the work required to plan, develop, monitor and review the services and the environment in which they are delivered. Thus, the executive function of the health promotion unit of my Department is being devolved to the health boards allowing its policy function to be strengthened. The health boards now have a statutory obligation to develop health promotion programmes bearing in mind the needs within each area and the objectives of the Department in relation to health promotion generally.

To meet the objectives of La Leche League of Ireland and to continue the promotion of breastfeeding throughout Ireland it is essential that there are effective linkages between all stakeholders. La Leche League have applied for and received funding on anad hoc annual basis from the health promotion unit over the last decade. However, while the unit does provide some funding to voluntary groups, it is not in a position to provide core funding to such groups. Consequently, my Department has recommended that La Leche League make contact with the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority with regard to their baseline-core funding needs in order to ensure the proper co-ordination and development of services at regional level. These linkages will allow for a greater degree of integration and continuity of services.