Pobal report shows almost €6 million in funding for Cavan groups in 2015

Community organisations and childcare providers in County Cavan shared in just under €6 million last year in grants administered by Pobal. Pobal oversees government funding for not-for-profit social enterprises or community businesses.

It's annual report showed that funding of € 5,943,437 was allocated to organisations across the county to address disadvantage, tackle social exclusion, provide employment services and offer subsidised childcare.

In 2015 €803,700 was spent in Cavan on the Community Childcare Subvention programme, a scheme aimed at reducing the cost of childcare for disadvantaged families. More than €574,490 in wages were provided through the Community Service Programme to supports community enterprises and over €1,342,690 was paid to workers on the Rural Social Scheme.

Minister for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne, said said that Pobal strengthens the capacity of communities in the county “I am charged with ensuring that people feel empowered to take control of their future and to shape the environments in which they live and work. I believe that this report outlines how Pobal and local community groups, by putting their experience and expertise to use, have made a real contribution throughout Cavan.”

Other grants awarded by Pobal include €29,320.29 in Early Years Capital grants for pre-school providers to expand their services, €73,896 under the Disability Activation Project to increase the capacity and potential of people with a disability to participate in the labour market and €1,812,626 in payments to individuals participating in Tús placements.

The CEO of Pobal Denis Leamy said programmes managed by Pobal help supporting local groups, facilitating community development and helping individuals progress “Great credit is owed to the staff, volunteers and board members of all the local and national groups across Cavan. Every week, day in day out, their work is having a meaningful impact on people’s lives and futures.”

Pobal is a not-for-profit intermediary organisation that manages various funding programmes on behalf of the Irish Government, the EU and other bodies. In 2015, Pobal distributed over €345 million to beneficiaries throughout Ireland.