Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to take this matter which concerns a scheme to support national organisations. The scheme provided multi-annual funding for such national organisations toward core costs associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under the scheme to supporting national organisations which provide services that target disadvantaged groups.

As the Minister of State will be aware, in the summer of 2014, 23 health and disability organisations were excluded from the scheme. The Minister will also be aware that bridging funding was provided for 12 months by the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, to help these organisations, but, unfortunately, this funding will end in June. The organisations are now in limbo as they cannot receive confirmation from the Minister's Department as to whether there will be a continuation of funding after June. In January they were told by officials of the Department that they would know by the end of March, but that information has not been forthcoming.

One may wonder why the provision of funding for a health and disability organisation comes under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, but not everything is about a health issue. Many people, having been diagnosed with a disability, are well able to contribute to and participate in community organisations. The funding is used to support people to live as full a life as possible and continue their involvement in the community. It also supports the families of those diagnosed with a disability. It is vital for the continuation of support groups. Last year the Minister provided €1.28 million to avoid an adverse impact on the organisations involved. The work that they carry out is invaluable. Organisations such as the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, to name but two, are the umbrella support bodies for many groups such as those which support people with multiple sclerosis, stroke victims and people suffering from dementia.

As laid down in the criteria, the scheme to support national organisations, SSNO, is a key element of the State's commitment to support the role of the sector in delivering services to enhance the quality of life of many in Ireland and contribute to the creation of a vibrant civil society. Similar to A Vision for Change in the mental health sector, these organisations are endeavouring to help people with a disability to move from residential care to community settings where they can integrate with the community and achieve independence. Neurological organisations which account for 12 of the 23 organisations affected are providing critical front-line services and support for over 700,000 people affected by neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and acquired brain injury.Being excluded from SSNO funding means a loss of income of €600,000 which will result in a loss of critical services such as counselling, helpline and home support, vital services that empower people to live in their homes and communities. The withdrawal of SSNO funding will result in potential job losses of one full-time and 11 part-time staff, while two organisations may close. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the position on funding for these organisations and confirm the continuation of funding.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I am pleased to have an opportunity to address the Seanad on the funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector and thank the Senator for raising this important issue.

The scheme aims to provide multi-annual funding for national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. During 2013 a review of the scheme was undertaken. It found that while the scheme had fulfilled its main objective of providing multi-annual funding for national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services, there was a need for the organisations funded under the scheme to demonstrate clearly the added value of the work proposed.

A new scheme to support national organisations was advertised for applications early last year. The Department requested Pobal to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given that organisation's significant experience and expertise in both the design of assessment criteria and the completion of assessment functions. In this context, Pobal put in place a dedicated team to deal with inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal submitted a report, which it is considering. Some 157 applications were received by Pobal. A total of 55 applications were approved for funding in the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. In excess of €8 million is being provided by the Department in the two-year period, representing an increase in funding of more than 10% per annum compared to the previous scheme.

The Government is very mindful of the valuable work undertaken by national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. While it was known that the existing scheme was ending on 30 June 2014 and applications were sought for the new scheme with no guarantee of continued funding, it was clear that organisations had become increasingly dependent on this funding. Against that background, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, announced on 18 July 2014 the allocation of bridging funding of €1.4 million to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations for a 12-month period, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. The Department is engaging with the Department of Health to advance the review. The review has been designed to ensure efficiency in the use of public money and the avoidance of duplication, while providing appropriate support for organisations working in the sector. I confirm that all organisations in receipt of bridging funding and a number of others were invited to make submissions as part of the review process. It is intended to complete and publish the outcome of the review as soon as possible.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for her response, but to be honest, it tells me absolutely nothing I did not already know. She repeated what I had told her. I want an answer to the question as to whether funding will be continued for these organisations. She referred to an appeals process. The organisations submitted appeals almost 12 months ago, but no decision has been arrived at. Surely it is time the Department pulled out its finger and made a decision on the appeals to let the people concerned know what the position is, as they are caught in limbo where jobs are at risk, yet nobody is giving them an answer. All I hear from the Minister of State is that they were invited to make submissions as part of the review process and that it is intended to publish the outcome of the review as soon as possible, but where does this leave the organisations in question? They do not know whether they will receive funding or whether they will have to close their doors. Somebody needs to provide an answer to their questions quickly.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I draw the Senator's attention to the fact that 55 applications were approved for funding in the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The level of funding was increased to over €8 million, an increase of 10% in comparison with the allocation for the previous scheme. I undertake to bring the Senator's concerns back to the Department and discuss them with my officials. We will try to provide her with a more detailed response.