Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on whether her Department’s engagement with the charities it provides funding to aligns with human rights models; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38667/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department is strongly committed to promoting equality, preventing discrimination and protecting the human rights of employees, customers, service users and everyone impacted by our policies and strategies, in recognition of the legal obligations conferred on it by section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) is a key element of my Department's support for the C&V sector, the development of a strong and vibrant civil society, and improving outcomes for those most disadvantaged. It provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations delivering services and supports with a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality. The current scheme commenced on 1 July 2019 and runs to 30 June 2022. To date a total of €18.8 million has been allocated to 74 organisations.

The Scheme provides funding for two organisations who directly identify as human rights organisations (Free Legal Advice Centres and the Immigrant Council of Ireland) and four who reference human rights initiatives or goals as a key feature of their work (Community Action Network, Community Workers Ireland, the Irish Penal Reform Trust and Social Justice Ireland). The Scheme also provides funding for a number of other organisations, while not identifying directly as human rights organisations, whose advocacy and activities nevertheless play an important role in helping to strengthen integration and equality of access within our society.

My Department also provides funding to Rethink Ireland, which supports innovative non-profit organisations, charities and social enterprises who work for disadvantaged communities in the areas of Education, Health, Equality, Access to Employment and Green Transition.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. During 2020, over 26,000 people and over 2,600 community groups received supports under SICAP. Funding of over €39m is being provided by my Department to 33 Local Community Development Committees in 2021 to support this work.