The group in question was awarded Dormant Accounts funding of €129,010 by the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board under the initial round of funding. The grant was to fund a youth worker, administration and programme costs over a two-year period. My understanding is that this funding will expire at the end of the summer this year.
Deputies will appreciate that the Dormant Accounts Fund cannot of its nature be regarded as a source of indefinite funding for specific projects. However, I am keen to ensure where projects can demonstrate strong impacts in tackling disadvantage and are coming to the end of their funding term, full consideration is given by relevant Departments to their possible mainstreaming.
To assist in this process, I recently secured Government approval for the allocation of additional Dormant Accounts funding to enable a limited number of projects, approved by the former Board under the initial round of funding, to continue for a defined period. This funding will be targeted at certain projects that are awaiting decisions by Government Departments or Statutory Agencies on mainstreaming. My Department is currently considering the operational arrangements for this funding measure with other relevant Departments.
The group in question may qualify for further Dormant Accounts funding in this context.