Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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901. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will introduce a special grant scheme for community and voluntary organisations that are members of the PPN nationwide in view of the Covid-19 crisis and the considerable financial loss they have experienced. [7842/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations many of whom are members of Public Participation Networks all over the country. We are committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.

The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups, many of which may be members of Public Participation Networks, which are currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and are in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations at immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Scheme has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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902. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €35 million Covid-19 stability fund for the charity and voluntary sector is up and running; the number of applications there has been to the fund; the number of applications accepted; the amount paid out of the fund; the number of organisations that have received funding to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8010/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to those most in need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.

This scheme is funded by Dormant Accounts Funding and so the criteria align with its objective to support:

1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or

2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or

3. Persons with a disability.

Mindful of the difficulties and issues raised by the sector, the Stability Scheme was established to urgently assist organisations at immediate risk of closure. The application process for the Stability Scheme was designed to avoid placing unnecessary or onerous administrative burdens on the applicant organisations. This was to ensure swift turnaround times to facilitate draw down of funds by eligible applicants so that they may continue to provide critical services to those most in need in our communities across Ireland.

The application deadline was extended by one day in order to facilitate those organisations that had technical issues or required clarification on their eligibility. The application process closed at 8pm on Thursday 21st May 2020. The Scheme has received over 1,000 applications and the assessment and approval process is currently underway. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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903. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the €5 million Covid-19 philanthropy fund for the charity and voluntary sector is up and running; the number of applications to the fund; the number of applications accepted; the amount paid out of the fund; the number of organisations that have received funding to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/20]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Innovate Together Fund was launched on 13th May, 2020 with a call for first round applications to close on 27th May, 2020. Government will provide a contribution of €5m to this Fund, to be matched over time by philanthropic contributions. Funding will come from the Dormant Accounts Fund and will be provided immediately, so that grant making can commence. The Fund will be managed by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI), overseen by an Advisory Board which will include Departmental officials.

As the Fund is still in the initial stages of operation, the information the Deputy is seeking will not be available until the applications under the first call have been evaluated. This process is expected to be completed in June.

Initial reports from the Social Innovation Fund Ireland, who are administering the Fund for my Department, indicate a very high level of interest and of potential applications.