The list of Offaly community groups that have received emergency Covid-19 funding
Offaly County Council has announced details of the recipients of the Emergency Fund for community groups involved in the Community Call response to COVID-19.
The response from community and voluntary groups throughout the county has been exceptional since the Community Call was announced by Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy on March 27. Many of these groups were among some of the first volunteers to offer their services when the Community Call Helpline went live on March 30 and are supporting significant numbers of vulnerable people, many of whom are self-isolating, to get through this crisis. This fund which was made available by the Minister for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring will help these groups to cover the costs of their work.
Priority was given to organisations which incur costs on direct delivery of frontline services to people, such as Meals on Wheels and other similar activities. To date, a total of 30 applications were received and have been assessed by an evaluation committee. Grants amounting to €60,950 have been approved and payments have been processed. The balance of €4,600 will shortly be allocated to additional applications which are anticipated.
A substantial number of requests were made by groups offering Meals on Wheels services to increase their capacity e.g. Kilcormac Development Association have increased their capacity from 60 meals a day to 120 per day; Moneygall Development Association are offering a Meals on Wheels service 3 days per week to in the areas of Moneygall, Dunkerrin & Barna. The grants, although modest will make a big difference to those providing this service voluntarily.
Here are the grant allocations to date:
Group
Purpose of Grant
Amount
SVP Birr
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
SVP Clara
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
SVP Edenderry
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
SVP Kilcormac
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
SVP Tullamore
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
SVP Daingean
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
SVP Ferbane
To provide food and fuel to vulnerable and isolated families and individuals
1250
Meals on Wheels - Portarlington
Provide and deliver 180 hot meals weekly in Portarlington and surrounding areas. Extra costs since CE scheme disbanded. Extra gloves, sanitisers, etc. needed.
1000
Meals on Wheels - Tullamore
Deliver hot meals to 210-266 people weekly. 80 volunteers and support from GAA. Meals provided by HSE.
1000
North Offaly Community Development Network
Funds will be used to purchase of face masks, gloves, sanitiser & Meals on Wheels delivery equipment. Provision of 'Friendly Phone Call' service for isolated people, and providing out-of-hours phone help-line for people needing emergency home repairs or supplies.
3000
BLC Development
Meals on Wheels supplies for Ballycumber, Rahan and Pullough areas. 35 people daily, rising to 70 per day
3000
Kilcormac Development Association
Meals on Wheels supplies & PPE supplies - 60 meals a day rising to 120 per day x 6 days per week. Service expanding into South Offaly incl. Shinrone, Coolderry & Moneygall
5000
Shannonbridge Community Services Group
Meals on Wheels supplies & purchase of small chest freezer, purchase of freezer and PPE supplies. 25 people daily
2000
Citizens Information Centre
Promotion of Covid 19 helpline and promotion of CIN essential services
1000
West Offaly Training
Free online training on social media platforms to ensure older people can keep in touch; online banking, taxes, internet etc.
1000
West & South Offaly Network - Homefix
Purchase of microwaves; purchase of Supervalu vouchers to cover shopping costs; purchase of saw for GIY Project ; purchase of PPE & sanitiser for workers
5500
Offaly Traveller Movement
Purchase of essential personal hygiene & cleaning supplies
1000
Offaly GAA
Purchase and delivery of essentials such as food, fuel and medicine by volunteers in 41 clubs throughout county. €200 per club.
8200
Pullough Community Shop
Purchase of food supplies to expand range of goods and services available in the community shop, such as meats, baking supplies, confectionery, ice cream, etc. Working with BLC Meals on Wheels.
3000
Offaly Resettlement Service
Provision of educational & mental health resources at the 3 direct provision centres in Offaly (Marian Hostel Tullamore, Shannon Lodge Banagher & Dunkerrrin Arms) to combat boredom and physical and social isolation due to C19.
1000
Birr 2020
To promote social cohesion in Birr and SW Offaly through activities such as bingo singing and exercise in housing estates with assistance from fitness instructors
1000
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service
Advertising campaign & flyer with vital safety information
1000
Tullamore Rotary Club
To provide 7 nursing homes in Co. Offaly with 14 iPad Air tablets (2 each) to allow families to communicate with residents. Rotary club will add €1,500 matched funding.
1500
Offaly Primary Principals Network
The grant will be used to make up an €8,000 fund which will purchase tablets for 50 underprivileged families and children within our school communities who do not have the necessary hardware in order to access online learning, communication and care that is being extended via their schools. Tullamore Rotary Club and Offaly schools will match fund to provide this vital lifeline for these school children.
2000
Parents First
Purchase laptop and software to remotely assist with family support service for 50 vulnerable families and volunteers
1000
Tullamore Community & Family Resource Centre CLG
Production and distribution of 1,300 copies of activity booklet for mental & physical well-being; establish a food project in conjunction with OLDC, SVP, OCC and Offaly PPN.
3500
Clara Community & Family Resource Centre CLG
Production of activity booklet for mental & physical well-being
1500
Accessible Counselling Tullamore
Purchase of laptops to implement an online accessible and affordable counselling service to adults. Currently providing service by phone.
1000
Ken Smollen Food Appeal
To purchase food for families in need and to keep a van on the road for deliveries
1000
Ballycommon Training Centre
Implementation of online training course and social activities for elderly via zoom and skype
1000
Moneygall Development Association
Purchase of suitable packaging and hotboxes for delivery of Meals on Wheels to community members
1000
Offaly West Enterprise Society
To provide Meals on Wheels in the Banagher, Belmont, Lusmagh & Shannon Harbour areas
1000