Funding Programmes
Joy after years of work see 10 new FRCs join national programme
As Ireland’s population expands, so too does the need for community development and family support and earlier this month it was announced by the government that 10 more groups are to be admitted to the Family Resource Centre Programme.
Being part of the national programme is sought after by community groups because it provides greater security, sustainability and opportunities for increased access to resources. The successful applicants will now be allocated core funding of €180,000 for each full year of operation.
Community Finance
Dublin – Crosscare Community Cafe also provides a grocery service
The Crosscare community cafe in Portland Row, Dublin, is seeing demand go up as well as its costs, according to senior manager for community services Yvonne Fleming.
She says that the impact of inflation was really noticeable towards the end of the year and it is hard to find a steady source of funding.
Community Finance
Southill Cafe’s costs rise, demand up too and extra €10k welcome
The Hill Cafe at the Southill Hub in Limerick city is feeling the brunt of the savage inflation of recent years, according to spokesperson Aisling Lohan. While footfall has increased, it has led to increased costs.
Community Finance
New National Community Cafés Action Group hopes for €1m support
While a census of community cafes is unavailable, there certainly are hundreds of them across the country – and they are struggling to keep prices low and stay operational. The National Community Cafés Action Group is a new group, formed in January, and it has been lobbying the government for funding.
Community Finance
St Munchin’s: ‘There’s a different world out there no one talks about’
Soaring inflation has hit everyone in the pocket, but community cafes, which offer discounted meals to disadvantaged communities, have really felt the hit. Linda Ledger is CEO of St Munchin’s Community Centre in Limerick, and she recently announced that for the first time in more than 20 years it will not be offering Christmas dinners on December 25.
“I can’t ask my staff to come in on Christmas Day when they mightn’t have a job next year,” she warned.
Funding Programmes
Banks bound by regulations, while Department and Pobal not alerted to issues
Two of the country’s main banks said that making things simpler for smaller groups to open accounts is not something that is within their gift. Meanwhile, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht said it had not had any complaints about difficulties, while Pobal said it didn't know of any issues around opening accounts.
Community Finance
“It’s very frustrating”- issues for groups opening bank accounts
Spare a thought for Walkinstown Number Two Sister Shed, who have been trying to open a bank account for close to two years, without success.
Funding
Community development increases not enough, says Irish Rural Link
While there were some positive things in this month's budget, Irish Rural Link says it is concerned about the level of funding allocated to Rural Development (€192 million) and Community Development (€260 million).
“Although these represent increases on last year’s budget, they may not go far enough,” it said in a statement.
Funding Programmes
Tipperary early school leaver breaks into niche work with horses and children with special needs
Decades after leaving school early, Catherine Foley from Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary, went back to education, became a therapeutic riding instructor and opened her own business.
Catherine received support from the national Back To Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) and Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) both made available in her area by South Tipperary Development Company. She believes it is never too late to return to education and to start your own business.
Funding Programmes
RTÉ hit the multi-annual funding jackpot, so why can’t we?
In her speech at The Wheel’s Summit in Croke Park, Dublin, on May 28, Elaine Teague, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, focused on four words beginning with the letter ‘c’.
Funding Programmes
Minister Calleary promises support to “forgotten” area in Limerick city
The Limerick city community of Ballinacurra Weston was “forgotten” in the past by the state, said Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, when he visited the area today. While he could not undo the past, he said the community had the government’s support today.
Recently, feuding in the area between criminals has seen people suffer injuries and put Limerick back under a national spotlight.
