Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and his colleagues John Curran, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Michael Finneran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government today announced that the Government has approved the allocation of over €3 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund to support homelessness (€1.5 million) and substance misuse projects (€1.56m).
The Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy in 2005 identified the provision of family support services as crucial in delivering the strategic aim of reducing harm to families. €1.56m will support 80 such projects. Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, John Curran, T.D. stressed the need for further expansion of family support services. “In my work as a public representative, I am very much aware of the devastating impact that a drug misuse can have on family and friends”, he said. “I would stress in particular the need for a greater focus on helping the families of drug misusers. They need help in their struggle to accept the problem that has arisen in their families, to cope with this problem and, given the necessary support, to fulfil a role in the meaningful re-engagement of their loved ones back into society,” said Minister Curran.
A further 20 projects under the Homeless measure, totalling €1.5m, will receive funding on foot of today’s approval by Government. This funding will be administered by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Minister of State Finneran said: I am pleased to welcome this additional funding for the homeless. It is important that we continue to provide this vital funding for some of the most vulnerable in society.”
Minister Ó Cuív concluded by saying: “I am delighted with the continued significant levels of Dormant Accounts spending that will go directly to projects dealing with disadvantage. These allocations will have a measurable impact in supporting a range of worthy projects that will have a significant impact on the people who need it most.”
A full list of all projects and allocation of funding is available from the Press Office, 01 6473130 / eolas@pobail.ie.
Editor’s Note:
Dormant Accounts
Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund target three broad categories of persons:
- those affected by economic and social disadvantage;
- those affected by educational disadvantage and
- persons with a disability.
Details of all allocations to date are available on the Department’s website at www.pobail.ie
Source: www.pobail.ie
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