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Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Ceisteanna (233, 236)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

233. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the funds available to support voluntarily-run food kitchens; if there is a grant system in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28076/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

236. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has now taken over the previous responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the distribution of food to charities here; the timetable in place to distribute the food; the way this process will be managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28152/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 236 together.

The Most Deprived Scheme has been managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a number of years. Some 563 charities participated in the scheme in the past year and were able to avail of cheese, rice and butter. The scheme has been discontinued from this year given the lack of intervention and surplus food stocks across the EU. In March of the year, the European Council and Parliament agreed a regulation to introduce a new Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) to support the provision of food and consumer products for people who are most deprived. The Fund will contribute to the reduction of poverty by supporting national schemes that provide non-financial assistance to alleviate food and severe material deprivation.

The Department of Social Protection has been tasked with implementing this new EU co-funded programme. When operational later this year, it is expected that this Fund, of which Ireland will receive approximately €3 million per annum, will be able to support voluntary and other bodies working with and providing services to those most in need of support. The regulation governing the operation of the Fund allow for food and non-food consumable goods to be distributed to persons who are most disadvantaged. This programme will be broader in focus than that operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

With respect to funding available to voluntary organisation providing food services, the Department can support such operations by way of labour input under its range of work placement and training programmes (such as community employment, Tús and the rural social scheme). No direct funding is provided.

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