Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2021
129. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if research by a PhD student can be funded under the new Disability Promotion and Awareness Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53558/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, launched a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) on 18 October this year.
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects and initiatives should promote the rights of people with disabilities by removing barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in their local communities, raising awareness of the UNCRPD, and increasing accessibility.
Local authorities can use this fund directly, or in partnership with local organisations, in order to carry out actions that will remove barriers to, and improve the accessibility of community life or community activities, for people with disabilities; provide funding to networks and clubs at local level to expand the involvement and participation of people with disabilities in their activities; promote awareness, understanding, and implementation of the UNCRPD; support disability capacity building within local authorities.
A research project could be considered for funding, provided that it clearly met the goals and objectives of the Fund, that it was being pursued in partnership with a local authority, that appropriate governance and payment structures were in place, and that the project was of a sufficiently high standard to be awarded funding, having regard to the overall number and quality of applications received.
