€2.3m Dormant Account funding for Carers and Disabilities
The funding is part of the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2021 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection in conjunction with Pobal.
Some €2.3 million in Dormant Accounts Funding has been announced for Carers and People with Disabilitie.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys TD has announced this week the provision of funding for 17 projects to support and improve employment (including self-employment) opportunities for carers and people with disabilities.
The funding is part of the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2021 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection in conjunction with Pobal.
Among the projects approved include:
ChildVision - €196,955: To fund a Pathways to Employment project which will provide a package of specialist supports for young adults aged 18-25 with Multiple Disability and Vision Impairment.
Irish Deaf Society - €199,941: To fund the Irish Deaf Society’s project proposal that seeks to empower deaf job seekers and employees to engage actively in their own career progression by providing resources, guidance and supports.
Family Carers Ireland - €199,815: To identify and support current and former family carers engaging in employment activation and/or education. The project will also include new digital resources for those supporting young carers.
NCBI (National Council for The Blind) Group - €200,000: To fund a contribution to the roll-out of the VisAble project. This will offer learners nationwide who are blind or vision impaired an accredited pathway to employment and further educational and training opportunities.
The Open Doors Initiative - €200,000: To fund a Creation of Pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for people with disabilities project.
On approving the recommended 17 projects, Minister Humphreys commented: “Within my Department, funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund has been used for a number of years to support projects that promote training and supports for family carers. I am delighted to extend this funding to help improve the employment prospects of people with disabilities.”
The Minister added: “The impact of COVID-19 this year has made it one of the most challenging for everyone and I know it has been particularly tough on carers and people with disabilities.
“The call-out for a request for funding resulted in high quality projects and initiatives being submitted by organisations around the country with a proven track record of providing services to carers and people with a disability.
“I know that this funding will go a huge away in assisting our carers and people with disabilities in availing of employment opportunities.”
The projects funded under the carer’s measure will enable carers to upskill and access a variety of supports so that they can enhance both their employment opportunities and training and education opportunities while continuing in their role as a carer.
Pobal will manage the process on behalf of the Department, including payment, contract management, performance monitoring, and beneficiary support and auditing. Funding will be provided to the successful applicants from 1st January 2021 to 30th June 2022.