Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to clarify the provision of funding for the Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin and I thank Senator Henry for tabling this motion.

The provision of health-related services for people with disabilities, physical, sensory or intellectual, and for those with autism is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Since 1997 my Department has allocated significant levels of funding across the disability sector which have resulted in substantial advances in the quality and quantity of the health-related services being provided to people with disabilities.

The Carmichael Centre is Ireland's largest centre for voluntary organisations, providing accommodation for 43 small voluntary organisations working in the area of health, social services, community and art. It provides a large range of services, enabling voluntary organisations to achieve their objectives in a cost efficient manner. My Department allocated €250,000 in 2002 for refurbishments carried out to the Carmichael Centre. This grant was made in recognition of the fact that Carmichael Centre includes a number of organisations active in the health field among its clients. My colleague, the Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs also has a role in supporting this organisation.

My Department will consult with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards regarding the Centre's revenue funding requirement, having regard to the availability of the additional resources required. It will be necessary also to consult further with other relevant Departments, given the wide mix of interests catered for by the Carmichael Centre. My Department has been in contact recently with the management of the centre to confirm that the organisation's funding problems are being given sympathetic consideration. In particular I emphasise that the health funding to the various health organisations using the Carmichael building is unaffected by this issue. The Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in consultation with my Department and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, will shortly invite representatives of the Carmichael Centre to discussions on the matter. In the meantime, my Department has asked the Eastern Regional Health Authority to make available a once-off grant of €150,000, to alleviate the immediate problems identified by the organisations.