Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

329. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider providing funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51077/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I recognise the many benefits that assistance dogs can have for the health and wellbeing of disabled children and young people, including autistic children and young people and their families. At the moment, the Department does not have any open funding streams available.

Among the funding schemes operated by the Department is the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund. The purpose of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund is to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities. The organisation may wish to keep this Fund in mind when considering options for sources of funding.

The next iteration of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund is currently under development. The opening of the Fund and means by which organisations can apply will be well publicised.