Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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541. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if extension of funding for the 12 neurological charities will issue; if any other decision has been made; when this will be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9380/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The twelve neurological charities referred to by the Deputy were not successful on this occasion.

Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the scheme and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any 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 is currently being considered.

On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4million would be allocated for a twelve month period to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the new scheme, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. This bridging funding in 2014/2015 will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO.

The table outlines the bridging funding allocated to eleven of the neurological charities referred to for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015. It should be noted that the twelfth neurological charity referred to, Meningitis Research Foundation, was not funded under the previous round of SSNO funding and was not, therefore, included in the organisations for receipt of bridging funding.

The review process referred to above is underway and is being advanced in consultation with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in the review. All organisations in receipt of bridging funding have been contacted to make submissions as part of the review process. I intend to complete and publish the outcome of the review over the coming months.

Table: Bridging Funding to Neurological Charities