A new €40m COVID-19 support package has been announced for the charity and voluntary sectors.
This will include community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
The Government says the money will help "alleviate funding challenges" faced by organisations most in need.
A large number of these organisations are providing critical services to vulnerable individuals and groups in society.
The Department of Rural and Community Development says: "Many of these organisations now find themselves in financial difficulty as fundraising efforts, commercial activities and other services they rely on have been curtailed due to the ongoing crisis.
"The €40m funding package is being made available through the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is specifically set aside to support initiatives which will benefit the most disadvantaged groups in society."
The package is made up of a €35m COVID-19 Stability Fund - which will provide a level of support to qualifying organisations who are most in need and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly.
The fund will be available to:
- Health and Social Care (including addiction, disability and mental health)
- Child and Family Services (including counselling/therapies)
- Domestic/Sexual/Gender based violence
- Housing/Homelessness
- Community Services (e.g. meals on wheels/befriending services/old age supports/vulnerable people’s support groups etc.)
- Community Education Sector
While a €5m Commitment to a Philanthropy Fund will focus on supporting responses to the crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing challenges.
Minister Michael Ring says: "I am acutely aware of the impact of the current restrictions on the funding of charities, social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations and on the services they deliver to those most in need.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution to the inspiring community response to the current crisis.
"This significant funding package for the sector will help to assist these key organisations to weather the crisis and allow them to maintain their valuable services".
The Stability Fund will be administered by Pobal in conjunction with the Department of Community Development.
Only organisations in existence prior to January 1st 2019, and operational on March 1st 2020, will be eligible.
