Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The medical needs are being provided for. The Victims of Crime Office in my Department continues to provide the funding for certain ongoing medical needs. The Deputy said that. The particular group received total funding of more than €1.2 million through the remembrance commission which was financed by my Department. That operated a scheme of payments to groups offering support services. A total of €1.2 million of the €1.5 million that we had at that time for victims was given to this group. It was substantial support. It got almost €900,000 from the Department of the Taoiseach in the period from 2000 to 2003, inclusive. When the term of the remembrance commission came to an end in October 2008, the funding under the scheme ended. Nevertheless, a decision was taken to grant further funding to the Justice for the Forgotten group and another €190,000 was given by the State so that it could continue to operate while seeking to put alternative funding in place. Beyond that extra €190,000, which was a sort of bridging payment, it was not possible for my Department to continue to fund the organisation. I have outlined the position relating to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. If the Deputy's colleague wishes to submit any further details to my office, he should please do that.

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