Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
989. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what funding steams are available for a group (details supplied) to be able to deliver a counselling service to its members and wider community. [47582/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Women's Collective Ireland (formerly known as the National Collective of Community based Women's Networks, NCCWN) consists of 17 women's groups located in various parts of the country and is involved broadly in activation and outreach for disadvantaged women. The group in question is part of this collective.
Since 2020, my Department has provided funding of €6,680,000 to the Women's Collective Ireland towards salaries, administration and overhead costs incurred in the implementation of activities set out in agreed work programmes. Funding was provided prior to 2020 by the Department of Justice and Equality, and prior to 2016 by the Department of the Environment. The funding has been increased in recent years, breaking down as follows:
2020: €1,490,000
2021: €1,560,000
2022: €1,730,000
2023: €1,900,000
My Department does not have funding streams for the specific purpose of delivering counselling services to the wider community. The Department of Health or other Departments may provide this funding.
However, a number of funding streams provided by the Department may support counselling services as part of a wider remit. For example, on 20 October 2023 my Department launched a Call for Proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in the amount of €10m, to fund 4-year projects providing Reception and Integration supports to third country nationals. The closing date for applicants is 12:00 noon on Friday 1 December 2023. The Department's website is updated regularly with all funding opportunities as are our social media accounts.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding for counselling services through a network of community-based service providers and Family Resource Centres that offer a range of counselling/psychotherapy and supports. I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy as this is an operational matter for Tusla. Members of the Oireachtas are advised that there may be a delay in processing PQ responses within Tusla due to ongoing industrial action. It is hoped the matter will be resolved soon.
