Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
1344 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if funding is available from her Department for an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 24 who provide advice on all aspects of family breakdown including legal rights, taxation and social welfare entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30817/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe organisation concerned applied for a grant under the 2008 Scheme of Grants for Marriage, Child and Bereavement Counselling Services administered by the Family Support Agency. The remit of the grant scheme is very specific and provides only for the payment of grants to voluntary organisations providing one or more of the following: Marriage Preparation Courses,Marriage Counselling,Child Counselling in relation to parental separation, Bereavement Counselling/Support on the death of a family member. The application was rejected as the services the group wished to provide i.e. an in-house counselling service for unmarried and separated fathers did not come within the remit of the scheme. The group was informed of the decision and the reason on 7 th August 2008. The Department does not have any other funding streams from which monies could be made available.
