Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2020
303. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the reason community organisations that are designated company limited by guarantee, are not included in the Covid-19 stability scheme for community and voluntary organisations. [26006/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Recovery and Resilience Plan, published on 15 September 2020, acknowledges the importance of communities working together at this challenging time. Community organisations are often the focal point for vital activities that can foster community resilience. The Government is also keenly 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 & Voluntary Covid19 Stability Scheme was established to provide immediate cash injections to organisations at severe risk due to significant loss of fundraised or traded income. Community centres that meet the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund.
The Stability Scheme opened for Phase One applications in May 2020. This phase was open to community, voluntary and charity organisations and social enterprises, with a legal status who are currently providing critical frontline supports and services. Companies Limited by Guarantee who fulfilled these criteria were eligible to apply under this stream.
In consideration of the broad range of organisations that support the most vulnerable in our communities, Phase Two of the Stability Scheme for unincorporated charities who are registered with the Charities Regulator, opened for applications on Friday 24th June, with a closing date of Monday the 10th August.
My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, three tranches of successful applications have been announced, allocating funding of over €25m to 489 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. A full list of successful applicants is available on the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.
Though the fund is closed to new applications, additional checks are continuing on a number of applications and a further announcement in respect of successful applicants will be made shortly.
There are no plans for a further round of the Stability Scheme at present.
