Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1338. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if following the recent meeting between officials of his Department and a charity (details supplied) he will consider increasing funding for the charity given the eleven-fold increase in the number of clients since the initial funding was awarded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43462/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe charity referred to by the Deputy is one of six Special Disadvantage Initiatives my Department provides funding to. The charity's funding allocation for 2022 is €49,000.
Officials from my Department recently met with the Directors of the charity referred to by the Deputy to discuss a funding request. My Department encourages all Special Disadvantage Initiatives to work closely with other education partners in their region and to this end we are aware that the charity referred to by the Deputy have also received funding under monies my department has allocated under programmes such as Programme for Access To Higher Education (PATH) and under the Covid Contingency fund through their links with higher education institutions in the region. We have also arranged for contact to be made between the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the charity to ascertain if funding is available through one of that department's schemes.
I view the activities that the charity undertakes very positively. Officials from my department will continue to liaise with them as they continue their valuable role in the community.
