Vol. 574 No. 1
519 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the grant support provided to Esker retreat house, County Galway, in 2003; if she will review the level of funding in view of the extensive programmes run in the centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26181/03]
The scheme of grants for voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling services is a non-statutory scheme of once-off grants to voluntary organisations providing such counselling in relation to parental separation, marriage preparation courses and bereavement counselling for families and support services. The focus of the scheme is on support for the development of these services by the voluntary sector in the community, to enhance stability in family life, and to assist families and their members in dealing with difficult periods which they may experience.
Government grant aid for the development of marriage, child and relationship counselling services in the voluntary sector has been increased from £900,000 in 1997 to over €7 million in 2003. There are now more than 460 voluntary and community groups throughout the country providing marriage and relationship counselling, marriage preparation programmes, child counselling for children whose parents have separated and bereavement support services. The scheme is now administered by the family support agency, which was established earlier this year.
In 2003 the organisation in question sought funding under the scheme for the provision of marriage preparation courses and received a grant of €5,700 for the provision of these services. An application form for the 2004 scheme of grants will issue in the new year. Any such applications will be considered by the agency having regard to available resources and the overall demand for funding.
