An important message for community and voluntary groups in Offaly

Community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises in Offaly should apply for funding under the €35 million COVID-19 Stability Fund, a Fine Gael councillor has urged today.

Cllr John Clendennen said: “Following last Friday’s announcement of a €40 million funding package for the sector, applications are now being invited from Monday for the €35 million Stability Fund.

The funding will be prioritised for those organisations which are most in need and have seen their

trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis. It will provide immediate, short-term cash flow to qualifying organisations which provide critical

services to those most vulnerable in society and allow them to maintain their valuable services.

“As a society we depend greatly on these organisations and I would like to thank them for their

contribution to the inspiring community response to the current crisis in Offaly,” the Kinnitty-based public representative said on Tuesday.

The funding for this initiative will be provided from the Dormant Accounts Fund and will provide a once-off grant to qualifying organisations. The fund will focus on organisations providing supports and services in the following sectors:

â— Health and Social Care (including addiction, disability and mental health)

â— Child and Family Services (including counselling/therapies)

â— Domestic/Sexual/Gender based violence

â— Housing/Homelessness

â— Community Services (e.g. meals on wheels/befriending services/old age supports/vulnerable

people’s support groups etc.)

â— Community Education Sector

Councillor Clendennen continued: “The application process for the Stability Fund will be open for a period of ten days, closing on Wednesday, May 20th at 5pm, in order to facilitate organisations that wish to be considered for funding. A link to the application process can be found on the Department of Rural & Community Development’s website”.

He concluded by saying Pobal have also prepared full additional information regarding the application process which can also be found at that link.

“I would encourage all eligible charities, social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations here in Offaly; to fully engage with the application process and contact Pobal at stabilityscheme@pobal.ie if you have any queries. “All of the details can be found on both the Department’s website www.gov.ie/drcd and the website of Pobal www.pobal.ie.”

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, said: “Organisations will be required to demonstrate the impact that the crisis has had on their services and applications will be prioritised according to need.

“Pobal, which works on behalf of the Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development, will administer the Stability Fund on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.”