€344,598 announced for Cavan voluntary groups

The minimum payments of €1,000 are to be made in the coming weeks.

Some 31 Cavan-based community-based and voluntary health and social care providers have shared one-off payments totalling €344,598 to help ease cost-of-living pressures.

The measure is part of an €81 million allocation from the Government’s Inflation Fund announced by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Minister for States Mary Butler and Hildegarde Naughton.

The minimum payments of €1,000 are to be made in the coming weeks.

The largest single beneficiary in Cavan was to Praxis Care (Republic of Ireland) who received €63,846. The Cavan Praxis Care scheme is home to four Individuals with Intellectual disabilities.

Elsewhere €59,498 was allocated to Drumlin House Training Centre Company Limited by Guarantee, and €54,692 to Enable Ireland Disability Services.

Rehab Group (Community Support - Care) meanwhile received €39,520, with Rehab Group (Learning NLN) getting €18,598.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said that many service providers have faced “serious pressures” in light of high inflation in 2022.

“Voluntary organisations play absolutely vital roles in providing frontline services to the most vulnerable in our society – people with disabilities, older people, those suffering from addiction, mental health problems and life-limiting illnesses.”

Around €62 million of the €81 million total will go to disability service providers, €6.8 million to older persons services, €3.9 million into social inclusion (including drugs and homeless services), €3.3 million into palliative care, €0.4 million to health and wellbeing and €0.6 million to other organisations operating in the primary care space, including many disease-specific NGOs.

Full list of Cavan organisations:

Bloomfield Care Centre €6,393

Brainwave-The Irish Epilepsy Association €556

Breffni Integrated €8,709

Brothers of Charity Services Ireland €5,352

Cavan Autism Education & Training Centre (HUB) €5,075

Cavan Travellers Movement €1,575

Croilar Na Ndrumlini Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta €1,000

Drumlin House Training Centre €59,498

Enable Ireland Disability Services €54,692

Extern Ireland €3,061

Family Carers Ireland €14,974

Focus Family Resource Centre €1,000

Foroige The National Youth Development Organisation €1,059

Grow In Ireland €778

Holy Family Special School – Cootehill €3,453

Independent Living Options €1,604

Inspire Wellbeing €5,655

Irish Wheelchair Association €4,983

Mental Health Ireland €856

Merchants Quay Ireland €7,840

Merchant's Quay Project CE Scheme €1,000

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland €773

National Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland €556

NCBI Services €2,594

North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability €556

Peter Bradley Foundation €6,745

Post Polio Support Group €556

Praxis Care (Republic of Ireland) €63,846

Rehab Group (Community Support - Care) €39,520

Rehab Group (Learning NLN) €18,598

St. Christopher's Services €2,263

St. Vincent De Paul - Council of Ireland €1,000

Teach Oscail Resource Project €2,109

Teach Solais Community Development €1,000

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland €13,857

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland €1,514

Grand Total €344,598

Fianna Fáil Deputy Niamh Smyth welcomed the allocation of nearly €700,000 to voluntary and community organisations in Cavan and Monaghan to alleviate the increases in living coats they are experiencing.

“This inflation fund will assist service providers working at all levels with those who are most vulnerable and fragile in our society. It recognises the enormous contribution voluntary groups play in the wellbeing of disability service users, older people, addiction sufferers and those supported through palliative care. I know the money is significant but acknowledging the amazing care, support and attention that staff within these groups provide is of greater importance.”

In conclusion Deputy Smyth said: “Every group receiving an allocation has earned it and is so well deserved. I hope the funding is helpful in maintaining the excellent service that these groups nurture and promote in the care and thoughtfulness of those most in need.”

Her party colleague Brendan Smith also welcomed the funding.

“I am delighted to confirm this funding for Cavan and Monaghan, which will go a long way towards recognising the increased costs incurred by community-based and voluntary health and social care providers in our region. These organisations play a vital role in providing frontline services to some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and it is important that they are supported during these challenging times.

"The impact of high inflation on costs related to energy prices has been a major challenge for community groups across the region. This additional funding will help to ease some of the financial pressures faced by these organisations and enable them to continue delivering essential services to those who need them most."

Both Cavan Fianna Fáil TDs thanked the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly; Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte; Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton for recognising the needs of these organisations.