Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health recognises the invaluable contribution of S39 agencies in the provision of vital health services across Ireland. The Department does not directly provide funding to section 39 organisations to replace lost fundraising income. Rather, these organisations are funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide specific health services on behalf of the Executive and this service delivery is governed via an annual service level agreement between the Executive and the agency in question.

In addition to this ongoing funding allocation for services delivery provided by the HSE to S39 agencies, there were two additional once off funding allocations which were made by Government in late 2020.

Under the Strengthening Disability Services Fund announced in October 2020, a total of €20 million in one-off grants will be provided to reform disability services, build the capacity of disability organisations and to improve the quality of life of those who rely on these services. In November 2020, the Minister announced €10m in once-off funding for palliative and end-of-life care in 2020 to deal with the challenges posed by Covid-19. The funding was made available to hospices and other voluntary organisations providing services and supports in the palliative care sector. Some, but not all of these service providers, are funded by the HSE as S39 agencies.

In addition, during 2020, in recognition of the pressures on Section 39 organisations in the disability sector related to Covid-19, the Minister for Health confirmed that disability service providers would not be required to meet previously planned financial efficiency targets in 2020.

The Government Covid Stability Fund, introduced last year, provided €35 million to assist community and voluntary organisations, charity and social enterprises which experienced financial difficulties due to a reduction in their fundraising or trading income as a direct result of Covid-19. The scheme was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups delivering front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fundraising or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of Covid-19. Qualifying organisations must have seen their income drop significantly during the crisis. Grants of between €2,000 and €200,000 were available. An additional €10m was made available for the stability fund in Budget 2021.

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), along with the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration funded the COVID-19 Stability Fund from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

DRCD, in conjunction with Pobal, developed the scheme and the application facility based on parameters agreed with DPER and by Government. The fund was administered by the DRCD and Pobal.

Funding of €44m has been approved to just under 600 organisations to date and the payment processes for this funding remain ongoing. Details of these can be found at:

104 organisations have been supported through this fund by the Department of Health, with allocations to date of €12.36m. The Stability Fund is now closed for further applications.