Independent Alliance Deputy, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, has welcomed news that Moate-based Irish Rural Link is among 70 community and voluntary organisations set to receive funding during the next three years.
Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited is to receive €267,058 as part of a new round of funding for community and voluntary organisations. Irish Rural Link is a national network of organisations and individuals campaigning for sustainable rural development.
“Irish Rural Link are an organisation that are doing tremendous work on the ground for rural communities and today’s funding announcement will assist the organisation to continue its good work,” said Deputy Moran.
Environment Minister Simon Coveney has announced a total of €16.4million during the course of coming three years to 70 national community and voluntary organisations. The funding is under a new round of the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, and it will run for a three-year period until mid-2019.
“The funding is in excess of the original estimate and is down to the fact that Minister Coveney was very impressed by the calibre of the applications received,” Deputy Moran said.
Funding to national community and voluntary organisations under this scheme is to cover core costs such as staff, administration, and ongoing running expenses. The organisations included operate in the sectors of health, disability, homelessness, children and young persons, older persons, equality, and social inclusion, among others.
Applications were invited from community and voluntary organisations that operate at a national level with evidence of a nationwide membership. The allocation of funding was largely based on evidence of need and value for money in order to ensure that the funds were allocated to the organisations where they are most needed.
“I am delighted the Government recognises the value of the great work carried out by the successful organisations,” Deputy Moran added. “The funding, over three years, will allow the organisations to properly prepare and plan their programmes of work.”
