Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2190. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) which was unsuccessful in receiving vital funding from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41070/22]
View answerThe Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (SSNO) plays a significant role in Government’s support to our national community and voluntary organisations, through the provision of multi-annual funding towards their day to day operations.
Those organisations supported by the SSNO operate at the very heart of our communities, providing much needed supports for our most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.
The overall aim of the SSNO 2022-2025 is to provide multi-annual funding towards core costs of national organisations in the community and voluntary sector, to assist them to operate and fund core staff positions. This new Scheme will build on the developments of the current programme, to help strengthen and consolidate the administrative and operational capabilities of recipient organisations, which as we know is so integral to the translation of essential services on the ground.
Recognising the value of this Scheme to the sector, I previously secured an additional annual funding allocation of €800,000 for the 2022-2025 Scheme.
The SSNO 2022-2025 has proven to be a highly competitive process, receiving applications for funding totalling over €46.7 million, against a budget allocation of just under €21 million.
All applications and appeals for the 2022-2025 programme respectively are independently appraised by Pobal to ensure transparency, fairness and due process.
The 2022-2025 SSNO appraisal and appeals process is designed to ensure all applicants are subject to fair, transparent and equitable procedure.
In this context, and while the appeals process is still ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me or my officials to engage in discussions with any individual organisation, as to do so would not only call into question the impartiality of the appraisal process, but would also compromise any appeal that may have been made by the organisation itself.
