Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a decision is expected in regard to funding for an organisation (details supplied); the timeframe for the adjudication of this decision; the criteria used to award funding; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the group support over 250 persons through their services but has not received funding since the end of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/11]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will make funding available to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6820/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 424 together.

My Department has a National Lottery discretionary fund in place which provides once-off grants to community groups and organisations, providing a range of health related services. The assessment of applications is informed by the fact that these grants are discretionary 'once off' funding. Applications come primarily from community groups and voluntary organisations with an involvement in the provision of health services to specific client groups (for example persons with an intellectual disability and/or physical disability, elderly, etc.), national groups providing information and support for various disabilities and illnesses and groups with a specific interest (for example equipment for hospitals, mini-buses, homes, etc.).

Applications for funding are generally accepted throughout the year. My Department assesses, evaluates and makes a recommendation in respect of the proposed project in consultation with the Health Service Executive. I then consider all applications along with the Department's recommendations. In 2010, a grant of almost €172,000 was approved from the Department's allocation of National Lottery funds to Dignity 4 Patients. This was given towards the cost of providing information and support to victims of abuse wishing to attend the Drogheda Review. This independent review was established by the then Minister for Health and Children to advise on whether any additional information or insights were likely to be achieved from a further full investigation. A former High Court Judge, Mr. TC Smyth, was appointed chair of this Review.

This report recommended that a further investigation should not be held and that, in order to avoid prejudicing any civil or criminal cases, the report should not be published. The Attorney General concurred with this advice but agreed that a short summary of the report could be prepared and published. Accordingly the Department, in consultation with the Attorney General and Judge Smyth, prepared a summary which was sent for information to two patient support groups, including Dignity 4 Patients, in January 2011.

An application for funding for the current year has been received by my Department from Dignity 4 Patients. The HSE has also received an application for funding. I am considering the application to my Department having regard to the services that the HSE already provides for victims of abuse. It is most important that any services supported by Departmental funding are fully compatible and supportive of similar services provided by the HSE. I will consider Dignity 4 Patients' request with that in mind.

It is also very important to ensure that appropriate counselling is available to all those who wish to avail of it. Both I and the HSE are anxious that all former patients of the consultant are made aware of the free counselling support that is available. Persons affected by these issues, but who do not wish to avail of counselling can also speak with a psychologist or counsellor in confidence. The need for additional support will be continuously monitored by the HSE.

The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the Regional Manager for Consumer Affairs in the North East who will continue to liaise as required with former patients and support groups. I will respond to Dignity 4 Patients' application as soon as possible, when I have had an opportunity to examine the matter fully.