Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1201. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to make more resources available to charities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5093/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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FEAD supports the actions of EU countries to provide material assistance to the most deprived. These activities are funded through the national Food and/or Basic Material Assistance Operational Programme.

My Department is the Managing Authority (MA) for the Operational Programme and has responsibility for the implementation of the programme in Ireland. Support provided through FEAD aims to help people take their first steps out of poverty and social exclusion. It also aims to help the most deprived people by addressing one of their most basic needs i.e. food and or basic materials for personal use.

Currently there are 156 approved charities operating the programme, each group is allocated credits which entitles them to collect FEAD food product. SVP Tralee collect their FEAD product through FoodShare Kerry. Foodshare Kerry have recently requested additional credits through the FEAD programme and these additional credits have been granted.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.