€2.9m awarded to disability participation projects nationwide

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley and Minister of State Emer Higgins have announced €2.9 million in funding for 19 projects under the latest round of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund.

The grants, totalling €2,954,421, will support initiatives helping people with disabilities participate in community, sport, arts and culture, employment, and assistance and therapy animal programmes.

Projects include Swim Access, aimed at improving access to local swimming pools, support for people with spinal cord injuries to use community gyms, inclusive dance and singing programmes, assistive technology initiatives, and school support dogs.

Funding will also support training to help people with disabilities take on leadership and governance roles, as well as employment and apprenticeship programmes.

The 19 successful organisations will receive grants of up to approximately €206,000, alongside non-financial support provided through Rethink Ireland.

Minister Foley said the projects would help people with disabilities participate more fully in community life, while Minister Higgins said the funding would promote accessibility, inclusion and greater independence.

The fund supports projects nationwide, with successful initiatives operating across areas including sport, employment, technology, creative arts and animal-assisted programmes.