Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2020
420. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are further plans to provide funding for volunteer community groups that have seen their fundraising efforts largely cease as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. [39375/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 currently 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. The criteria of the scheme stated that any grants awarded would be dependent on the need identified and organisations approved for funding were prioritised on that basis.
This fund is providing up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align 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.
My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, funding of €30,990,956 has been allocated to 590 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. Though the fund is now closed to new applications, additional checks are continuing on a small number of applications and remaining outcomes will be communicated on an individual basis as decisions are finalised. In addition I will shortly be making an announcement about my plans for the distribution of the additional €10M in funding provided through Budget 2020.
Lists of successful applicants are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants.
