Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2022
246. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the measures that her Department has taken to ensure that existing community infrastructure is inclusive and welcoming to LGBTI+ persons; if she will provide a list of pop-up LGBTI+ services that have been created in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31196/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development is committed to supporting empowered, inclusive and resilient communities and a key action is to support the enhancement of community facilities particularly in disadvantaged areas. A €15m fund was recently announced so that groups can apply for funding to make improvements to their facilities. Details of how to apply are available on my Department's website.
There are a number of groups in society who can face additional barriers to equal participation in community and civic life, the LGBTI+ community being one of those groups. Since 2019, my Department has provided funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund to support LGBTI+ community organisations across the country. The 2022 Dormant Accounts Action Plan was announced last November and included €200,000 for supporting LGBTI+ community organisations. The main purpose of this funding is to help the organisations make the existing community infrastructures inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTI+ community and to provide pop-up LGBTI+ services in areas not currently serviced.
Following an application process, the funding is allocated to Local Authorities who engage with LGBTI+ organisations at local level to agree actions and ensure that they are implemented. I understand that some organisations have included actions to set up pop-up facilities to provide information relevant to the LGBTI+ community. I do not currently have the detailed information requested, however my Department will forward this information to the Deputy within the coming days.
Separately, the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations. Two organisations with a direct focus on LGBTQI+ supports are being funded under the new iteration of the SSNO, Belong to Youth Services and LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland. In addition, there are other organisations funded under the SSNO programme, while not having a specific focus on LGBTQI+ supports, may provide related supports and advocacy.
