Written answers

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Department of Rural and Community Development

Radio Broadcasting

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1487. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications received under the stability scheme for community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations from community radio stations; the number that were awarded funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21700/20]

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.

Applications were received from 15 Community Radio Organisations, 14 from individual radio stations and one from their representative body. 12 of these organisations were awarded funding and the remaining three were deemed ineligible but have been offered leave to appeal the decision.

A full list of all successful applicants is available on my Department's website.

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1488. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be made on an application by an organisation (details supplied) under the stability scheme for community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21701/20]

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 to facilitate prompt drawdown, applications were assessed in batches and funding has been released in tranches. To date three tranches have been announced, supporting more than 480 organisations with funding of over €25 million. This funding is supporting the delivery of many critical frontline services in every part of the country.

In this context, I can confirm that the organisation in question was included in the most recent tranche of funding, which I announced on 4th September. A full list of successful applicants is available on my Department’s website. Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

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