Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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1002. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is continuing to fund the Covid-19 stability scheme for community voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations in 2021; and the way organisations that were previously funded under this scheme can apply for funding in 2021. [24592/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Government are aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and are committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, Government and my Department have introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and social restrictions necessary in the interests of public health.

In 2020, my Department supported close to 600 organisations to continue to deliver vital services to the most vulnerable in our communities, through the COVID-19 Stability Fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.

I am pleased to confirm that an allocation of €10m has been provided to the Stability Fund for 2021 as part of the revised Resilience and Recovery plan announced on Tuesday 23rd February by the Taoiseach.

The COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 was launched on Thursday 6th May, and is targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic.

The 2021 Stability Fund has limited funding available and while organisations that received funding under the 2020 Stability Fund will be eligible to apply, priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received State support since the onset of the Pandemic.

Pobal will again act as implementing partners, facilitating the online application portal and providing information and support to intending applicants from now until the application deadline.

The application window will run from 20^thMay to 3pm on 27^thMay 2021. Further information is available on Pobal’s website here:

Separately, my Department launched the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) on Sunday 9th May. The CEP provides small grants to community groups and the 2021 programme will again give consideration to supporting groups in dealing with the specific challenges brought by COVID-19. This programme may be more relevant to smaller community groups and it is recommended that such groups monitor the Department’s website or stay in touch with the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), who will be administering the programme in their area, for further details. The contact details for LCDCs can be found on my Departments website at the link below

In general, I would encourage all organisations to continue to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company, and to check on the Gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities as they become available.