Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1130. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a detailed report will be provided in relation to correspondence (details supplied); and the funding options for the organisation. [10075/21]
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.
In 2020, my Department provided support through the €45m COVID 19 Stability Fund for organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Charities and Social Enterprises. The Fund was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups 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.
The criteria of the scheme stated that any grants awarded would be dependent on the need identified and organisations approved for funding were prioritised on that basis.
When the Stability Fund was initially established, it was envisaged that social restrictions would be in place for a limited period and grant levels allocated were based on this assumption. It was subsequently necessary to reintroduce restrictions and in this context the majority of organisations that were approved for funding under the Stability Fund received a top-up grant. This was to support them as they continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on their ability to trade and fundraise normally.
To date, funding of over €43 million, including the additional €10M in funding announced during Budget 2021, has been allocated to 600 organisations. Payment processes are being finalised. This Fund is now closed.
I can confirm that the organisation in question submitted an application to the Stability Fund, however they were unsuccessful as they failed to meet the eligibility criteria. In order to qualify, organisations were required to be providing specific eligible supports and services to vulnerable individuals in Ireland on or before the 1st January 2019.
However, I can confirm the organisation in question is in receipt of funding from my Department.
My Department currently supports over 420 community organisations under the Community Services Programme, or CSP, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP funding is provided as a fixed contribution towards the cost of employing an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) and a manager, where warranted. The Department provides a co-funding contribution of €32,000 per annum towards the cost of supporting a manager and €19,033 per each FTE. The organisation in question receives annual funding of €127,165 under the programme towards the cost of supporting one manager and five full-time equivalent positions.
In addition, in response to the difficulties being experienced by organisations due to COVID-19, my Department developed a CSP Support Fund during 2020 totalling €4.75m which assists CSP supported organisations to continue to retain their CSP supported employees on their payroll and also provides assistance for the Employers PRSI contribution, during this crisis period up to April 2021. The organisation in question was approved additional supports of €10,544.81 in 2020 under the CSP Support Fund and received further additional funding of €4,280.25 to cover the period January to April 2021. My Department and Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my Department, will continue to monitor the situation closely.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Community and Voluntary sector, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges presented by COVID-19. I would encourage all groups to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
Information on all funding available through my Department can be found on my Department's website.
