Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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623. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the schemes or grants available for community and voluntary groups, for example, active retirement groups which have experienced a significant loss of income in view of the fact meetings can no longer take place due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9793/20]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to the successful delivery of a range of programmes and schemes which are benefiting rural and urban communities.

Programmes such as the Community Services Programme (CSP), which currently supports more than 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager, and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions. In addition, my Department also recently developed a 2020 Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP supported organisations to cover a 12-week period from 26 March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees

My Department has made €35 million in Dormant Accounts Funding available in a whole of Government initiative to create a targeted, once-off cash injection for organisations and groups delivering critical front-line services to the most in need in our society, and for those organisations in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raising, or traded income, as a direct result of restrictions imposed to counter the spread of COVID-19.

In line with the ethos of the Dormant Accounts fund, the Stability Scheme for the Community and Voluntary sector will be focusing on organisations providing supports and services in the following sectors:

- Health and Social Care (including addiction, disability and mental health)

- Child and Family Services (including counselling/therapies)

- Domestic/Sexual/Gender based violence

- Housing/Homelessness

- Community Services (e.g. meals on wheels/befriending services/old age supports/vulnerable people’s support groups etc.)

- Community Education Sector

The application portal opened on Monday 11 May 2020, given the high level of applications the deadline was extended to 8pm on Thursday 21 May 2020, in order to ensure that all those interested in applying for the scheme managed to do so. Over 1,000 applications have been received and as these applications are subject to a verification and assessment process, which is currently ongoing, the final number of eligible applications is yet to be determined. Organisations approved for funding from the Stability Fund will be informed in the coming weeks.

I am confident that the work of my Department is benefiting all communities and delivering on our mission statement. I am determined that this will continue to be the case, and that available funding and supports continues to deliver positive visible impacts for all of our communities.

Further information on all funding programmes and schemes is available on my Department's website on gov.ie

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government is aware of the challenges currently faced by community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these.

Community facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. Supports provided by my Department help people to participate in the development of their communities and also provide funding to improve community facilities.

In addition to the supports referenced by the Deputy, my Department funds the Community Services Programme (CSP) which supports over 400 community organisations to provide local services. Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department recently developed a Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees up to €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.

My Department also funds theCommunity Enhancement Programme, which provides small capital grants for facilities in both rural and urban areas. The appropriate approach is being examined for programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme is being considered in that context.

My Department also provides funding to rural community groups through the LEADER Programme. Details can be found at

Officials within my Department continue to liaise with representatives of the sector and with Departments with relevant policy responsibility in relation to the challenges faced at this time.