Liz McManus
Ceist:430 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to assist with funding the CARI service to abused children and provide secure funding for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24842/03]
Written Answers. - Health Board Services.
The funding of voluntary organisations is a matter for the health boards. Health boards provide funding to voluntary organisations based on the board's priorities and their requirements for the services which the organisation provides. The Health Boards Executive, HeBE, also considers applications for funding where the work or service of the voluntary body is national or cross-board.
I understand that an application for funding from CARI was considered recently by both the Northern Area Health Board and the health boards executive. Given financial constraints and a review of services for children who have been sexually abused which is ongoing in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area at present, the Northern Area Health Board or the Health Boards Executive are not in a position to provide additional funding for CARI.