The dormant accounts fund disbursements board published its first disbursement plan on 7 November 2003. The plan sets out the board's priorities and provides for the distribution of funds to assist programmes or projects targeting three broad categories of persons — those affected by economic and social disadvantage, those affected by educational disadvantage and persons with a disability. A significant level of disbursements from the fund will be ring-fenced for programmes and projects within RAPID, CLÁR and drugs task force areas.
The board has engaged Area Development Management Ltd., ADM, to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf. Detailed guidelines outlining the application and appraisal procedures have been developed by ADM in consultation with the board. These guidelines, which are available from ADM or through the board's secretariat, set out clearly the criteria against which applications will be assessed and provide examples of eligible actions.
An invitation to organisations, groups and so forth to make applications for funding under the scheme was advertised in the national press on Friday, 21 November 2003. ADM is processing and assessing applications received and making recommendations to the board for decision on an ongoing basis. If any organisation or community group requires assistance in completing an application for funding, it should contact ADM directly.