Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2020
143. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the second round of successful applicants in the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16375/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.
This fund will provide up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1 The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2 The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3 Persons with a disability.
Over one thousand applications were received during the application period. Due to the considerable interest in the Stability Scheme and in order to ensure that funding is released as quickly as possible, applicants are being considered in smaller groupings.
Tranche One of funding was announced on Friday 26th June. Over 170 organisations were allocated €10.5 million in funding, the full list can be found at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.
The remaining applications are currently undergoing a comprehensive assessment process which includes liaising with a number of other Government Departments and successful applicants will be announced shortly.
