Supporting the participation of Disabled Persons Organisations is a critical part of Ireland's obligations under the UNCRPD. To further realise Ireland's commitment's under CRPD, my Department launched, on 18 October this year, a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to fund projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000. It is open for local authorities to partner with other organisations in the delivery of projects under the Fund.
Clear assessment criteria have been set for the allocation of funding under the 2021 Fund and these have been communicated to local authorities in guidance documentation for the making of applications.
Assuming that projects align with the aims and goals of the Fund, and are of a sufficiently high standard having regard to the other applications received, the guidance material makes clear that projects which provide funding to Disability Organisations and in particular to Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) will be given priority this year.
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
