Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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352. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on concerns raised by the membership organisations of the National Women’s Council of Ireland arising from the 45% cut to its core funding since 2010; and her plans to restore its core funding in the upcoming budget. [32728/15]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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357. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views regarding concerns raised by the membership organisations of the National Women’s Council of Ireland arising from the 45% cut to its core funding since 2010; her plans to restore its core funding in the upcoming budget. [32816/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 357 together.

My Department has been very supportive of the work of the National Women’s Council of Ireland and has consistently provided core funding for its activities that correspond with the aims of the National Women’s Strategy and EU gender equality policy. Ongoing and regular dialogue between the NWCI and the Department is maintained and, indeed, I had a constructive meeting with the CEO as recently as June of this year, during which the NWCI outlined its case for funding in future years.

I acknowledge the reduction in funding since 2010 but equally highlight that for 2014 and 2015 the allocation has remained the same. Furthermore, Minister Fitzgerald and I approved an additional grant of €50,000 for the NWCI's Working with Young Women initiative in 2014.

The decision on the grant to NWCI for next year will be taken in the context of the 2016 Estimates.