Written answers

Wednesday, 14 December 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Departmental Agencies

11:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the agencies or bodies his Department provides funding to or is administratively responsible for, and those agencies and bodies that his Department is responsible for in respect of Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39422/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A wide range of agencies and bodies fall within the ambit of my Department. These agencies and bodies perform a wide variety of functions, some of which are independent of my Department. For example, the Human Rights Commission is an independent human rights institution. However, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have certain legal responsibilities concerning the financing and staffing of the commission and the laying of its reports before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The reception and integration agency of my Department, RIA, provides some funding to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for the provision of accommodation for separated children seeking asylum — that is, unaccompanied minors, children below the age of 18. Under the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, and the Child Care Act 1991, the care of these children is statutorily the responsibility of the HSE. However, because these children are asylum seekers, the RIA provides funding towards the cost of their accommodation. In 2004, this funding amounted to approximately €4.9 million.

My Department provides funding for a number of schemes, the day to day operation of which is performed by Pobal — formally Area Development Management Ltd. — on my Department's behalf. I have no responsibility to the Dáil in respect of Pobal as an organisation. However, both my Department and myself respond to queries and parliamentary questions regarding these schemes. Currently these schemes include the equal opportunities child care programme, the equality for women measure and community CCTV projects.

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