Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Board Funding.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

344 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding which was given to the Western Health Board for allocation under the lottery grants scheme for 2002; and the areas in which that money was spent, providing details of the groups approved funding. [21094/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The following national lottery funding was made available to the Western Health Board in 2002: respite care grant scheme –€70,000, scheme of grants to voluntary organisations –€102,000, block allocation –€347,000.

The responsibility for the administration of these schemes is a matter for the relevant health board, in this case the Western Health Board.

I would like to point out that the block allocation of national lottery funds is subject to the following conditions: grants may be allocated to community based projects under the headings mental and physical handicap, the elderly, psychiatric services, child services, personal social services, including information and counselling services; at least 70% of the block allocation should be allocated to voluntary groups; grants from the block allocation should not be used in substitution for section 65 grants; and particular care should be taken to ensure that grants are made to viable schemes which will be completed within a reasonable period and, in determining the priority of schemes, an assessment should be made of any on-going revenue implications.