Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All funding is welcome and it is good to see a few organisations in my own area that were beneficiaries of the fund. Talking to people in the Lucan and Clondalkin area who applied, it was my understanding that a limited timeframe was set for the first tranche that was rolled out in June. The application process was difficult and cumbersome. Community organisations could not access the relevant details that they were required to submit because they could not access the community buildings because of the restrictions introduced in June. Community organisations went to great lengths during the pandemic to make their buildings as safe as possible by providing screens, PPE, hand sanitiser and anything that was required. This comes at great expense and it is not sustainable. I know the Minister of State mentioned that there are no plans for another round of this scheme. In the absence of more plans, does the Government have plans to roll out a more applicant-friendly continuous structured fund for our community organisations?

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