Minister Carey Announces Funding of €18m for the Community & Voluntary Sector

04/12/07

Pat Carey T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, today announced funding of €18m over the coming three years for 64 national community and voluntary organisations.

The funding is under a new Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector.

This is a significant increase on the substantial support already provided to national community and voluntary groups by the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.

This substantial increase in funding to Community & Voluntary Organisations was made possible due to the commitment made by the Government to increased support for the Community and Voluntary Sector contained in Towards 2016, the latest Social Partnership Agreement. Funding to national community and voluntary groups under this Scheme is for the covering of core costs of an organisation such as staff, administration and ongoing running costs and will be for up to three years on a contract basis, subject to an agreed work plan and periodic review.

Announcing the funding, Minister Carey said:

“I am delighted to announce this very substantial funding to 64 national Community & Voluntary organisations. The Government has clearly recognised the value of the great work carried out by such national voluntary organisations and, for the last four years, we have been providing substantial core funding to a range of these groups. This new round of funding, however, is a big increase and has been made possible because of the Government’s commitment to the Social Partners in Towards 2016 to continue and, indeed, increase our support for the Community & Voluntary Sector.

The Government will invest €18m over the next 3 years under this Scheme and I am confident that the many people who benefit from the work carried out by these groups will see the benefit of this investment”.

Click here for a copy of the full press release and funding details.