Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 220: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which he intends to spend the extra €3 million in disability funding allocated to it in budget 2005. [6248/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The funding is part of the multi-annual investment programme for disability announced in the budget. A sum of €15 million will be available for voluntary sector projects between 2005-2009 with the first tranche of €3 million in 2005. This fund is intended to support innovative, efficient and cost effective approaches to disability services and to help provide examples of effective service co-ordination. Practices developed as part of funded projects must be suitable for assimilation by mainstream service providers in the future.

The fund will be administered by my Department and will involve once-off grants for selected projects. Details including criteria for funding will be finalised in consultation with other key Departments. Disbursal of funding will be in accordance with the normal accounting procedures applicable to projects availing of State funding.