Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1018. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review correspondence regarding funding (details supplied); if he can provide any advice or alternative funding for this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47998/23]
View answerIn 2023, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund was oversubscribed, and as a result the assessment process was very competitive. For this reason, unfortunately, my Department was only in a position to provide funding to 25 out of a total of 101 applicants.
In recognition of the highly competitive funding call, all applications received were assessed and scored in strict adherence with the assessment criteria set out in the published funding call guidelines. Applications were assessed by two separate assessors within the Department. For applications where there was a pertinent difference of opinion between the scores given by those two assessors, an external reviewer was asked to review the application to provide a final score.
Thirty three percent of Scheme A (€25,000 to €100,000) applicants were successful. Due to oversubscription of the fund, and our commitment to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible, successful Scheme A applicants were only awarded 70% of the amount sought in their original application.
Nineteen percent of Scheme B applicants were successful. Successful Scheme B projects (€5,000 to €10,000) were awarded the full amount applied for as it is likely the projects would not be feasible if funding was reduced.
Should additional funding become available the highest scoring unsuccessful organisation will be contacted.
Any organisation looking for feedback or who wish to appeal the assessment team’s decision should contact lgbti@equality.gov.ie.
The 2024 LGBTI+ Community Services Fund is due to be launched in June 2024.
Please note that my Department operates a number of funding streams including the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund on the basis of annual or multi annual open calls for funding. These calls are not designed to be core funding for organisations in perpetuity. The engagement and maintenance of staff working on approved projects is a matter for the applicant organisation and not the responsibility of the funding Department.
