Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
319. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider implementing a mechanism that would allow for disabled person’s organisations to be prioritised in securing some of the disability participation and awareness fund through the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53945/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, recently launched, in October 2021, a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
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.
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to fund projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000.
Clear assessment criteria have been set for the allocation of funding under the 2021 Fund and these have been communicated to local authorities in guidance documentation for the making of applications.
Assuming that projects align with the aims and goals of the Fund, and are of a sufficiently high standard having regard to the other applications received, the guidance material makes clear that projects which provide funding to Disability Organisations and in particular to Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) will be given priority this year.
