Funding boost for local community organisations

Numerous local community organisations are among almost 400 nationally which were allocated additional funding by the Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien this week.

The Community Services Programme is an initiative designed to support community-based businesses, social enterprises and organisations that provide local services and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people.

Among the local organisations to benefit are Athlone Community Radio which has been allocated €128,132, Monksland-based Involve, which received €151,165; Midland Amenity Park Company (which operates the Dún na Sí amenity and heritage park in Moate) and which has given €89,099.

See bottom of story for full list.

This week's announcement sets out the awarding and issuing of new contracts with revised funding rates under the Programme.

Almost 400 of these organisations will receive additional funding under these new contracts.

In a further enhancement of the programme, organisations may draw down a full contribution based on 37.5 hours per week per worker, rather than 39 hours, as was previously the case.

The new funding rate allocation model will see the Department’s support for the programme rise by more than €5 million, to almost €49 million.

An increase of €4,000 for both full-time positions and a manager will be provided for organisations considered to have a ‘high funding need’.

For organisations considered to have a ‘medium funding need’ there will be a €2,000 increase per full-time position and manager provided.

There will be no change for the small number of organisations considered to have a low funding need – these are organisations with the strongest earning potential operating in less disadvantaged areas.

The Westmeath funding allocations:

The Roscommon funding allocations: