Ministers Humphreys, McGrath and O’Brien launch €10m COVID-19 STABILITY FUND

Applications have opened for a €10 million fund designed to support community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises, which have suffered as a result of the pandemic.  The Covid Stability Fund 2021 was launched jointly today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Charities and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD.  The Fund is targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic.  Priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received State support since the onset of the Pandemic.

Examples of the organisations that can apply include those that provide:

• Family supports and supports for the elderly
• Domestic Abuse and addiction services
• Mental health and disability supports
• Education supports in disadvantaged communities
• Community centres that provide social services

The €10 million investment builds on the €45 million Covid Stability Fund 2020, which supported almost 600 organisations across the country.

Announcing the call for applications, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am really pleased to invite applications for this new €10 million fund today. Our community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises deliver vital services right across the country and I want to ensure they receive the support necessary to help them get back on their feet post-Covid.  “There is a specific focus in this funding call on supporting organisations that have not previously received funding from the State since the onset of the Pandemic.  “As society reopens, the services provided by so many great organisations across the country will be more important than ever.   “Along with my colleague Minister Joe O’Brien, I will be making a separate call for applications under the Community Enhancement Programme shortly. This Fund is another option for community groups and more suitable for smaller organisations in particular who are seeking financial supports through the form of capital grants to enable them to reopen safely.”

Also announcing the Stability Fund today, Minister McGrath said:

“Throughout this pandemic, our voluntary and community groups, charities and social enterprises, have played a critical role.  “The objective of the Stability fund is to provide an immediate, targeted cash injection that will not have to be repaid.   “This money will stabilise the position of these organisations by allowing them to meet their immediate costs, usually funded through fundraised/earned-income”

Also speaking today, Minister O’Brien said:

“I know how important the Covid Stability Fund has been during such a challenging time.   “As we work towards reopening Irish society, it is critical that organisations supporting our communities are provided with the resources necessary to allow them to continue their vital services particularly to those most marginalised which is why I, along with my colleagues, am very pleased to provide this additional €10 million funding for the scheme.   “I hope that this coupled with the soon to be announced Community Enhancement Programme funding for smaller community groups, will help ensure that our communities continue to be supported by the immense work of the C&V sector across Ireland.”

More information about this fund is available on the Pobal website

Separately, the Department intends to launch the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme over the coming days. That programme may be more relevant to smaller community groups and it is recommended that they stay in touch with their Local Community Development Committee, who will be administering the programme in their area, for further details.

The Stability Fund is one of a suite of measures introduced by the Government to support people, communities and organisations in dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examples of other Government Supports

• COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme
• Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme
• Pandemic Unemployment Payment
• €2 billion Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund
• €250 million Restart Fund to assist micro and small businesses
• waiver on commercial rates for affected businesses

Organisations interested in applying for the COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 must complete and submit their online application on the “application portal” before the deadline of 3pm (15:00hrs) on the 27th May, 2021.

See HERE for more information.