Seán Haughey
Ceist:189 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of lottery funded grant schemes administered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18351/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 June 2004
Ceisteanna (199)
Freagraí scríofa
The health and children allocation of national lottery funds for 2004 is €13.017 million. This includes €2.539 million which forms part of the funding for the capital programme. The remaining €10.478 million includes funding of €6.847 million which is allocated to health agencies to fund the respite care grants scheme, the disadvantaged youth scheme and the schemes of grants to voluntary organisations and the remaining €3.631 million is discretionary funding available to my Department.
The conditions which apply to the allocation by health boards of the scheme of grants to voluntary organisation funds are as follows: grants may be allocated to community based projects under the headings of intellectual and physical disability, services for older people, mental health services, child care services, personal social services, including information and counselling services; at least 70% of the funding should be allocated to local voluntary groups; grants should not be 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 ongoing revenue implications.
The amount of discretionary funding available to my Department for 2004 from the proceeds of the national lottery is €3.631 million. There is a set protocol in place in my Department for dealing with applications/requests for grants from discretionary national lottery funds. An application form is made available to any individual, group or agency which requests a grant. Requests for application forms come primarily from individuals, groups and organisations with an involvement in the provision of health services to specific client groups, national groups providing information and support regarding disability and illness and groups with a specific interest. When the completed application form is received in my Department it is registered in the finance unit and forwarded to the relevant services division for their assessment, evaluation and recommendation. All applications are then considered in the context of the recommendation and the overall level of funds available to me.
Applications for national lottery grants far exceed the resources available in any one year. Where an application has been unsuccessful, the applicant is informed and advised that they may apply in the following year if funding is required for the particular project.