Four Galway charity and community organisations have been allocated a total of €172,722 under the Department of Rural and Community Development’s COVID-19 Stability Scheme.
Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney welcomed the allocations which are one-off cash injections to help organisations facing financial challenges as result of the COVID-19 crisis.
The grants are as follows:
- Gort Cancer Support Group,which will receive €14,784
- Hand in Hand children’s cancer charity, Loughrea, which will receive €38,725
- Galway Traveller Movement, whichwill receive €78,677
- Tearmann Eanna Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta housing services for older people, Baile na hAbhannwhich will receive €40,536.
Minister Canney said: “I am delighted at these awards, which are part of Tranche One of the €35 million Stability Scheme set up by my Department to help community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
“The fund is specifically targeted at organisations that deliver front line services and supports.
“It is vital that groups facing cash flow issues as a result of the crisis can continue to deliver services.
“Key national organisations that will also benefit include the Irish Red Cross, which will receive €200,000 and Barnardos, which will receive €153,953.”
The Scheme is being funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund, for which Minister Canney has ministerial responsibility.
Additional checks are ongoing for remaining applicants in the health and children’s sectors to determine their suitability for funding, with further announcements expected shortly.
A full list of successful applicants under Tranche One is available at www.gov.ie/drcd .
Notes for editors:
Following the announcement of a €40 million funding package for the sector, applications were invited for the €35 million Stability Scheme.
The Stability Scheme, administered by Pobal, opened for applications from 11th – 21st May 2020. A total of 1,027 applications were
received in that period.
The Stability Scheme will provide immediate, short term cash flow to qualifying organisations which provide critical services to those most vulnerable in society.
The funding is prioritised for those organisations which are most in need and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis.
With funding being provided from the Dormant Accounts Fund, the Stability Scheme will provide a once off grant to qualifying organisations. In line with the objectives of the Dormant Accounts Fund, the Stability Scheme will focus on organisations providing supports
and services in the following sectors:
• Health and Social Care (including addiction, disability and mental health)
• Child and Family Services (including counselling/therapies)
• Domestic/Sexual/Gender based violence
• Housing/Homelessness
• Community Services (e.g. meals on wheels/befriending services/old age supports/vulnerable people’s support groups etc.)
• Community Education Sector
Pobal, which works on behalf of Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development, administers the Stability Fund on behalf of the Department of Rural and
Community Development.
For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
June 26 2020
