Combat Poverty Agency establishment and funding
The Minister said the Bill would establish the agency as a statutory body, with 1985 funding from the £1 million anti-poverty allocation and later funding considered in annual Estimates. Its establishment depends on the Bill’s progress through the Houses, though the Minister said there would be no undue delay.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the anti-poverty agency promised in the Fine Gael-Labour Joint Programme for Government will be established; if it will be established as a statutory agency; the funds which will be made available to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
The Combat Poverty Agency Bill, 1985, which has been introduced in Seanad Éireann, provides for the establishment of a combat poverty agency on a statutory basis.
The funding of the new agency will be a matter for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates. Funding for the agency in 1985 will be provided from the allocation of £1 million of the anti-poverty programme.
Comment on this
How soon does the Minister expect that this Bill will be passed through this House and the agency established? Will the agency be dependent solely on funds from the EC or will there be a contribution from the Exchequer?
Comment on this
The Bill is in the Seanad and the Second Stage is continuing tomorrow. Every effort is being made to get it through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The funding will be a matter for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates.
Comment on this
We have already dealt with the question relating to the moneys available for the Coolock law centre. Have any Government Department any idea when this agency will be established? Will it be established before the Dáil goes into recess in July, or in September or October? There are many voluntary groups, including the community law centre, whose existence depends on the funding which has been promised from this agency.