Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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303. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason community organisations that are designated company limited by guarantee, are not included in the Covid-19 stability scheme for community and voluntary organisations. [26006/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Government's Recovery and Resilience Plan, published on 15 September 2020, acknowledges the importance of communities working together at this challenging time. Community organisations are often the focal point for vital activities that can foster community resilience. The Government is also keenly 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 & Voluntary Covid19 Stability Scheme was established to provide immediate cash injections to organisations at severe risk due to significant loss of fundraised or traded income. Community centres that meet the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund.

The Stability Scheme opened for Phase One applications in May 2020. This phase was open to community, voluntary and charity organisations and social enterprises, with a legal status who are currently providing critical frontline supports and services. Companies Limited by Guarantee who fulfilled these criteria were eligible to apply under this stream.

In consideration of the broad range of organisations that support the most vulnerable in our communities, Phase Two of the Stability Scheme for unincorporated charities who are registered with the Charities Regulator, opened for applications on Friday 24th June, with a closing date of Monday the 10th August.

My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, three tranches of successful applications have been announced, allocating funding of over €25m to 489 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. A full list of successful applicants is available on the link below.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.

Though the fund is closed to new applications, additional checks are continuing on a number of applications and a further announcement in respect of successful applicants will be made shortly.

There are no plans for a further round of the Stability Scheme at present.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide stability funding or assistance to community associations or organisations that are designated company limited by guarantee or any such sources of funding that exists. [26007/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government's Recovery and Resilience Plan, published on 15 September 2020, acknowledges the importance of communities working together at this challenging time. Community organisations are often the focal point for vital activities that can foster community resilience.

My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 400 community organisations. A Support Fund of €1.2m was put in place earlier this year, providing additional funding to many of these CSP organisations which had suffered a loss of income due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

My Department also introduced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises in the context of COVID-19, which included a Stability Scheme of up to €35m. Organisations registered as companies limited by guarantee were eligible to apply under Phase One of the Stability Scheme which is now closed. Many community organisations that meet the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund.

The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme with funding of €2m providing small capital grants to community organisations was launched in June. Separately, under the July stimulus package my Department launched a €5m fund for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. Details can be found at this link www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2af76-minister-joe-obrien-announces-details-of-5m-funding-for-community-centres-community-facilities/.

The Rural Development Investment Programme is being tailored to address the emerging challenges associated with COVID-19. This includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme , which is currently open for applications. Improvements to Community centres have been funded through this scheme in the past.

My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Community and Voluntary sector, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges presented by Covid-19.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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305. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is encouraged by her Department for community organisations to become a company limited by guarantee. [26008/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is solely the responsibility of the Board of Directors of any organisation, including community organisations, whether or not they become companies limited by guarantee. My Department does not require community organisations to become a company limited by guarantee. However, however having a recognised legal status or being registered with the Charities Regulator may be included as an eligibility criterion under some Department programmes.