Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Ceisteanna (922)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

922. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands when further tranches of the stability fund will be released; and if community radio stations will be able to seek funding under the scheme. [23505/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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 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.

This fund is providing up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the scheme criteria aligned 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 1000 applications were received during the application period. Due to the considerable interest in the Stability Scheme and to facilitate prompt drawdown, applications were assessed in batches and funding has been released in tranches. To date three tranches have been announced, supporting more than 480 organisations with funding of over €25 million, which included the funding of 12 community radio stations. This funding is supporting the delivery of many critical frontline services in every part of the country.

A full list of successful applicants can be found at the link below. Additional checks continue on a small number of organisations and a further announcement will be made shortly.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/

Community Radio Stations were eligible to apply under Phase One of the Stability Scheme which closed for applications on the 21st of May 2020. I have no plans to reopen the scheme to new applicants at this time.

Barr
Roinn