Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all funding programmes in his Department that community, voluntary and sporting organisations may apply to for funding; if he will provide a brief overview of each programme; the opening and closing dates of each programme; the minimum and maximum amounts of funding that may be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5390/13]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The only funding provided by my Department to voluntary organisations is under the Communicating Europe Initiative. The Initiative was established in 1995 to raise awareness about the European Union and to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues.

Applications are now being invited for funding under this year’s programme from voluntary organisations, education bodies and civil society groups. The 2013 awards for funding will be made to projects which encourage citizens to actively engage and participate in the debate on their future in Europe. Priority will be given to proposals for: events which promote public conversations and debate – at local or national level; cultural and media projects that explain Ireland in Europe and Europe in Ireland- at local or national level; projects or events designed to celebrate the European Year of Citizens; events that celebrate Europe Day on Thursday 9 May.

This year’s programme was launched on 29 January last and the closing date for applications is Friday 15 February 2013. The application form is available for download at . Successful applicants will be notified in early March.

€150,000 will be available in 2013 under the Communicating Europe Initiative. There are no set minimum or maximum grant levels but in 2012, 23 projects from all over Ireland received support.