Seán Canney, T.D., Minister of State for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development, today (Friday) announced funding of €18.5m over the coming three years to 73 national community and voluntary organisations.

The funding is under a new round of the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector and it will run for a 3 year period until mid-2022.

At €18.5m million over the lifetime of the scheme, the funding is an increase in excess of €1.8million compared with the current iteration of the scheme. The Minister was impressed by the high quality applications that were received for funding under the Scheme and was keen to make funding available to as many organisations across as many fields as possible.

Announcing the funding, Minister Canney said: ‘I am particularly delighted to announce today this substantial funding to 73 national Community & Voluntary organisations. This Government recognises the value of the great work carried out by such national organisations. This funding is over a three year period to allow organisations to plan for a more sustainable timeframe’.

Applications were invited from community and voluntary organisations that operate at a national level with evidence of a nationwide membership. The allocation of funding was largely based on evidence of need and value for money in order to ensure that the funds were allocated to the organisations where they are most needed and to make the maximum contribution to the community and voluntary sector. On average, organisations have seen an 8.2% increase in funding allocation (capped at a maximum of €270,000 over the three years).

Michael Ring, T.D., Minister for Rural and Community Development, welcomed the funding, and added ‘The Government will invest in excess of €18.5m over the next three years under this national Scheme and I am confident that the many people who benefit from the support and services delivered by these groups will see the value of this investment.’

Funding to national community and voluntary organisations under this Scheme is to cover core costs such as staff, administration and ongoing running expenses. The organisations deliver critical supports and services in the health, disability, homelessness, children and young persons, older persons, equality and social inclusion areas, amongst others.