Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

206. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of funding granted to each organisation under the national integration fund 2020, in tabular form (details supplied); the rationale for granting funds to public bodies such as third-level institutions and county councils while rejecting the applications of certain migrant groups active on the ground serving migrant communities with scarce resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9082/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Integration Fund (NIF) is a key element of the Migrant Integration Strategy and was developed to help facilitate the effective integration of migrants, or persons of migrant origin, into communities all over Ireland on an equal basis with those of Irish heritage. Its primary objective is to ensure that barriers to full participation in Irish society are identified and addressed and it provides funding to national organisations and larger-scale initiatives to empower new members of Irish society to play an active role in their communities.

Approximately €750,000 in funding was made available in 2020 through the NIF, with almost €2.3m in total funding being committed to this programme over a three-year period. The Department received a tremendous response to the NIF 2020 Call for Proposals with 116 applications received by the closing date of 22 September 2020, representing a total funding request of €21.7m. The demand far exceeded expectations, amounting to just under 10 times the available amount within the allocated budget. As a result, a large number of very strong proposals did not receive support.

Both public and private bodies were eligible to apply for the NIF 2020 Call for Proposals, as these bodies have extensive networks within the community and thus have the ability to make lasting and meaningful change in terms of migrant integration. All applications were examined against strict assessment criteria: Strength of Proposal; Strategic Fit & Achieving Goals of the Scheme; Financial Management & Value for Money. The evaluation process followed was the standard process used for applications to Calls for Proposals, which has been praised by EU Auditors as being an exemplar of best practice. All applications from eligible applicants were scored and moderated in the same manner, with the exception that applications from public bodies were reviewed to ensure that the proposed activities were in addition to their normal activities.

The table below sets out the funding granted to each successful project under NIF 2020:

Name of organisation

Funding Granted