Kildare organisations encouraged to apply for new €3.5 million Disability and Participation Awareness Fund
The call was made by a Kildare-based Senator
Organisations and projects across County Kildare are being encouraged to apply for a new €3.5 million Disability and Participation Awareness Fund.
The Fund has received support from Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who has encouraged eligible projects and organisations based in Kildare to apply to the next iteration of the Fund, which is designed to support people with disabilities to participate in community life.
It will help to promote disability awareness and training in local communities, increase participation among disabled people in social, cultural, arts and sporting activities and support pathways for young people with disabilities in transitioning through education.
Commenting on the Fund, Senator O'Loughlin said: "This fund, launched by my party colleague Minister Rabbitte, will support organisations working with or involving people with disabilities so I am encouraging any local project or organisation that focuses on this through the strands identified in the criteria to apply.
Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin (File photograph).
"The second focuses on projects and organisations that initiate disability awareness capacity building and training at the local level in communities.
"Lastly, the third on promoting innovation in supports and pathways for teenagers transitioning from secondary school through the use of innovative and meaningful services, products or programmes."
She continued: "Funding of €50,000 to €200,000 is available for projects and organisations.
"Fianna Fáil in government is committed to promoting disability awareness among citizens, supporting disabled people to get involved in a range of different community activities, and helping young people to transition through their education."
Senator O'Loughlin added that Rethink Ireland will operate the fund on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Organisations can make an application under the different strands through the Rethink Ireland website.