Written answers

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Department of Rural and Community Development

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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634. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the second tranche of funding will be released to applicants to the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18880/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is 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 currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at 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 fund will provide up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives 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.

Over one thousand applications were received during the application period. Due to the considerable interest in the Stability Scheme and in order to ensure that funding is released as quickly as possible, applicants are being considered in smaller groupings.  

Tranche One of funding was announced on Friday 26th June and the second tranche of funding was announced on Monday 27th July.  To date 277 organisations have been allocated €14.27 million in funding. The full list of successful applicants can be found at the following link.

In consideration of the broad range of organisations that support the most vulnerable in our communities, I opened Phase Two of the Stability Scheme for unincorporated charities on Friday 24th June with a closing date of Monday the 10th August. Further information on phase 2 is available at the following link .

Remaining applications from phase 1 are currently undergoing a comprehensive assessment process which includes liaising with a number of other Government Departments and successful applicants will be announced shortly. 

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