Dormant funds worth €2.3 million will be provided to 17 agencies to support programmes to improve the employment prospects for persons with disabilities in Ireland.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys announced the grants of between just under €50,000 and €200,000 to charities and agencies working with people with disabilities and includes supports for self-employment projects.
The funding will be awarded over six months starting on January 1st and will be administered through Pobal, an intermediary agency that manages government and EU funding programmes.
A number of the awards are to agencies assisting people with vision and hearing impairment, including ChildVision. It will receive €196,955 to fund a “pathways to employment” project, providing specialist support for young adults aged 18 and 25. The Irish Deaf Society has been awarded €199,941 for a similar project.
A significant amount of funding will go to carers, including Family Carers Ireland, which has been awarded €199,815 to identify and support current and former family carers engaging in employment activation and education, including digital supports for young carers.
Under dormant accounts legislation, unclaimed bank, building society, and post office funds along with unclaimed life assurance policy monies are used to assist the socially and educationally disadvantaged and those with a disability.
