Page 1180 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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funding these community groups then, of course, we will consult with them on what those changes are going to be, why they are being made and how we see them impacting on those community groups, if at all.
Outreach House
MS MAHER: My question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Housing and Community Services. Recently I have received correspondence and have also seen extensive coverage regarding the closure of Outreach House. Can the Minister advise the Assembly whether the closure of Outreach House was the result of Alliance Government action or its own management's action?
MR COLLAERY: I am grateful that Ms Maher is prepared to fill in the gap for the Opposition. I would have thought they would have been interested in the closure of Outreach House. Evidently they are not. The extensive coverage of that matter has not been to the benefit of the sector at large. Whilst I criticise the Opposition for not asking me this question, I do appreciate the understanding shown. The Alliance Government is committed to the provision of these quality services. As Mr Berry knows, the department has been working on schemes to widen and broaden the range of family support and substitute care services available; hence the start-up last week of a new family support program to give troubled mothers and children time-out while they sort out family crises.
The overall aim is to ensure that we are meeting the needs of families and children requiring assistance. The closure of Outreach House was not caused by the withholding or withdrawal of any funds from the Richmond Fellowship. There was no need to close Outreach House at that time. Rather, the closure was a Richmond Fellowship management decision. It was taken despite previous advice to the fellowship in my presence of my commitment to provide the necessary funding to operate existing programs until arrangements for new family support and substitute care programs had been finalised.
To sum it up, we had asked Richmond Fellowship whether they would join other agencies in devising some broader programs that had a closer impact in these areas of need. At no time did I ask them to cease or close Outreach House. I was most surprised and distressed when that decision was taken. I have confirmed with the former Richmond Fellowship chairman that the decision was not taken as a result of the withdrawal of funds by this Government.
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