Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 221: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the grant programmes available from her Department and from agencies under her responsibility; and the deadlines of each programme. [33916/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In addition to funding a number of statutory bodies, the Department administers a national lottery funded grant scheme. This scheme provides funding, on a once-off basis, to voluntary organisations with an involvement in the provision of health services to specific client groups, national groups providing information and support regarding disability and illness, and groups with a specific interest.

There is a set protocol in place in the Department for dealing with applications and requests for grants from discretionary national lottery funds. An application form is made available to any individual, group or agency which requests a grant. When the completed application form is received in the Department, it is registered in the finance unit and forwarded to the relevant services division for its assessment, evaluation and recommendation. All applications are then considered in the context of the recommendation and the overall level of funds available to me. Application forms are accepted from voluntary organisations throughout the year while funding remains available. However, organisations are advised that applications made late in the year may be held for consideration in the context of the following year's national lottery allocation.

The health promotion unit of the Department operates a grant system whereby community and voluntary organisations, with charitable status, are provided with moneys for health promotion initiatives. All initiatives must be once off ventures and must make provision for an evaluation. Initiatives should include health information and education elements and-or assist in raising awareness on a particular health related matter. Where necessary, organisations should have the approval of the local health office-agency or relevant division within the Department. Completed grant application forms are considered quarterly, in line with the unit's business plan.

The Department has also requested the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy about such grants as may be available from the executive.