Fund will prioritise organisations which deliver frontline services such as Meals on Wheels
Michael Ring, TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development, has confirmed that he has allocated €76,036 to support community and voluntary groups involved in the delivery of Covid-19 community response efforts in Mayo.
The Covid-19 Emergency Fund will provide immediate and urgently needed funding to local groups that are participating in the Local Authority led “Community Call” initiative in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about the Covid-19 Emergency Fund, Minister Ring said: "Community and voluntary groups throughout Mayo are supporting significant numbers of vulnerable people, many of whom are self-isolating, to get through this crisis. This Fund will help these groups to cover the costs of their vital work."
Mayo County Council will now administer the funding to groups involved in the Community Call effort and will be making contact with those groups participating in Community Call in the very near future with further details regarding how to apply to the Covid-19 Emergency Fund.
Priority will be provided to organisations which incur costs on direct delivery of frontline services to people, such as Meals on Wheels and other similar activities. These individual grants will generally be modest in nature however it is expected that higher amounts will be provided where the need is greatest."
Minister Ring continued: "Collaboration and partnership between the community and voluntary sector and the State are key to coordinating and responding to the needs of our communities and supporting people at this time. These groups are making a real difference to help individuals at this unprecedented time.
"This is an initial response to support immediate and emergency efforts by community and voluntary groups in assisting people in communities throughout Mayo. It is recognised that there are wider challenges and impacts facing the community and voluntary sector as a whole, but this initiative will help to provide support to community groups that are delivering services at the frontline."
Community Call is an unprecedented mobilisation of Government, Local Authority and voluntary resources to provide help to those in our communities that need it during this crisis.
There is a Community Call Forum in each county to coordinate and connect the wide range of services and supports that are available. People in Mayo can call the dedicated local helpline on (094 ) 9064660 or email [email protected].
