I propose to take Questions Nos. 4310 to 4312, inclusive, together.

My Department operates a range of capital and current schemes which allocate funding to a wide range of bodies, including local authorities, state agencies, local development companies, and community and voluntary groups. While there is no agreed definition of what constitutes a non-governmental organisation (NGO), schemes aimed at addressing disadvantage, promoting social inclusion, and developing the Gaeltacht and Irish language, would often support community and voluntary type groups which may be considered as NGOs.

One example of such a scheme would be the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). This is a key departmental programme which provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national community and voluntary organisations that demonstrate good governance and deliver services and supports that have a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality. The Scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Allocations are provided based on a competitive application and assessment process. Under the current iteration, approximately €28 million is being provided to 82 national, community and voluntary organisations over the period of the scheme. Details of these allocations are available on my Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/ssno-funding-allocations/

Another example would be funding for local development companies through both the LEADER programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. While the local development companies may be defined as NGOs, they support and deliver these programmes following competitive procedures. Again funding provided under these two schemes is detailed on my Departments website.

A wide range of other schemes, including the Community Services Programme, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, the Local Enhancement Programme, and Social Enterprise supports, would also provide supports to community type organisations that are providing community supports or activities. Grants also support Gaeltacht groups and, more broadly, Irish Language groups throughout the country. In general, grants are only made to community groups operating within the State, however in some areas, such as language development, entities outside the state are funded.

Details of funding allocations made by my Department, across schemes and in tabular format, are available on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/collections/funding-allocated-by-the-department/