Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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357. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding opportunities within her Department for an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7601/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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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.

In 2020, my Department provided support through the €45m COVID 19 Stability Fund for organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Charities and Social Enterprises. The Fund was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups 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.

Funding of €44m has been approved to just under 600 organisations to date and the payment processes for this funding remain ongoing. While the Stability Fund is now closed for further applications, a very small number of organisations remain engaged in an appeals process. I can confirm the organisation in question did engage in that process but unfortunately were unsuccessful.

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. I would encourage all groups, including the one in question, to also engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

Information on all funding available through my Department can be found on my Department's website