COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 11, 2021

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor Clare O'Byrne

To ask the Chief Executive how the €77,366 provided to SDCC in December under the COVID-19 Emergency Fund will be allocated in support of community and voluntary groups (in tabular form).

REPLY:

In December 2010, an additional €1.7 million fund was provided by the Government and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) to support community and voluntary groups to deal with COVID-19 with an allocation of €77,366 provided for South Dublin.

The fund will be administered by the South Dublin Local Community Developemnt Committee supported by the Council using the structures in place for the Community Enhancement Programme.

The fund will assist groups to adapt their services and operations to fit the new COVID-19 reality. Examples of measures supported could be adapting premises to allow for social distancing; offering on-line activities; providing social supports and friendly calls by phone or simular services.  The fund is also aimed at helping animate community groups to enable them to become more involved in the Government's 'Keep Well' campaign. It will seek to assist their participation in the campaign, in particular with the three themes: staying connected, switching off and being creative, and minding your mood.

Guidelines issed by DRCD recommend that 30% of the allocation be ringfenced for applications of up to €1,000.

The Department require that all application processes be closed by end February 2021.  Accrodingly, an online application form is being finalised and will be advertised imminently for applications and the Elected Members will be notified when the online process opens for applications.