Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if permanent sources of funding have been identified for the Northside Community Law Centre; if the issues between his Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform have been resolved; and if his proposal to meet local Deputies to discuss the matter still stands. [19641/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Northside Community Law Centre is one of a number of organisations which are funded by my Department's scheme of grants for the development and promotion of information and welfare rights. Since its establishment in 1975, the centre has been funded exclusively by State agencies, including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department took over direct funding of the centre in 1995. Annual funding has increased progressively over the years and my Department will provide funding of €360,000 to the centre in 2005.

I am fully cognisant of the valuable role which a community-based legal advice service such as the Northside Community Law Centre can play in the delivery of a comprehensive and cost-effective legal advice service for citizens. However, I am satisfied that my Department is not the most appropriate source of funding for this service. During 2004, social welfare queries represented just 5% of the annual business of the centre. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has primary responsibility for legal aid services. I have been in correspondence with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, regarding future funding of the centre but the issues in this regard are not yet resolved.

I met with a number of local Deputies and members of the board of the centre recently and, following on that meeting, I increased the centre's funding from €215,000 to €360,000 for 2005.