Dormant Accounts Fund

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2022

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Ceisteanna (208)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

208. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of the €210,000 that was secured through Social Inclusion Ireland from the dormant funds to fund a full-time mental health post in Mosney, County Meath, on a pilot basis for three years; the date that the moneys were secured; the expected timeline for commencement of the pilot programme; if she will make available any and all other details on the reason for the delays incurred to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53670/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

The Dormant Accounts Fund provides funding across 10 Government Departments to support measures aimed at addressing economic, social and educational disadvantage, or to support persons with a disability. My Department prepares annual Dormant Account Action Plans which approve funding for measures across Government. The relevant funding is then provided within each Departments Vote, with each Department then responsible for the appropriate administration of the funding.

Based on the information provided, I understand that this measure does not receive funding from my Department. I asked officials to liaise with other Departments and, again based on the information provided, I am informed that funding for this measure rests with the HSE utilising Dormant Account Funds allocated to the Department of Health. As noted, responsibility for that measure would therefore lie with that Department.