David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way his Department supports the Disability Equality Specialists Support Agency; the work of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26782/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency, DESSA, is one of six specialist support agencies funded under the family and community services resource centre, FRC, programme. These support agencies were selected to provide support to family resource centres on specific issues, others being women's aid, racism, drugs, Traveller issues and arts. DESSA became a specialist support agency in 2002.

DESSA provides support and information on disability issues to projects in the FRC programme. This helps to ensure that the work of the FRC programme at all levels is inclusive of people with disabilities. The funding for DESSA for 2005 is €56,600.