Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [5384/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a number of funding streams for which community, voluntary and sporting organisations may be eligible. The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The emphasis of the Emigrant Support Programme is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities. These services have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish communities overseas (particularly in Britain and the United States), reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local statutory entitlements.

Under the ESP grants are allocated to a range of non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and encourage closer links between these communities and Ireland.

These grants are a key part of the Government’s approach to developing strong and meaningful links with Irish communities overseas and to securing the long term future of these communities. In recent years, as the demographic profile of our overseas communities has changed, there has also been an increased focus on funding community, heritage and capital projects. As part of this, grants have been approved for strategic capital projects.

Since 2004, the total budget for the Department of Foreign Affair’s ESP, which supports Irish welfare, culture and heritage organisations abroad, has been in excess of €104 million. Despite the difficult financial situation we face, the Government has maintained funding under the ESP at a level of €11,595,000 for 2013.

The 2013 grant round will be open from 16 January and will run until 20 February.

The ESP does not have a minimum or maximum amount of funding that may be applied for.

The Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds assist individuals and organisations involved in reconciliation and anti-sectarianism work and encourage and facilitate better relations within and between the traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. Funding is provided on a one-year basis for project-based activities. Funding is not provided to cover salaries, overseas travel, events which have already taken place, or for capital costs.

Approximately 140 grants are awarded per year to support projects which best fit the eligibility criteria of the Funds. The total amount available for 2013 is €2.7 million. There are no set maximum or minimum grants; the average grant awarded is €15,000-€20,000. Information on the funds, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the Department’s website. Application forms can also be downloaded from the site.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, and are assessed during two funding rounds. The closing date for receipt of applications for consideration in the first round of funding in 2013 is Friday 1st March, and the closing date for the second round is Friday 27th September.

The Government’s aid programme, managed by Irish Aid, provides funding to NGOs, educational institutions and community and voluntary organisations implementing development education programmes in Ireland.

The Development Education Annual Grant is provided to organisations engaged in promoting understanding of, and engagement with, global development and justice issues in Ireland. Initiatives funded are aimed at deepening understanding of global poverty and encouraging the Irish public to take action for a more just and equal world. All development education approved programmes and projects have a strong focus on achieving results in the youth sector as well as in the adult and community sector.

Each year, a call for proposals is issued for the Development Education Annual Grant. The 2013 call for proposals opened on the 21st of December 2012. The closing date for expressions of interest was 15th January 2013. Applications from organisations which completed an expression of interest form by the deadline must be received by Friday 8th, February 2013. The minimum grant that organisations may apply for through the Development Education Annual Grant is €10,000 and the maximum grant is €200,000. The next call for proposals will issue in late 2013.