1.9 million for projects in Cork to support people with disabilities – O’Shea

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, have today announced that 22 innovative projects will receive funding of €2.8 million under the latest round of the Disability and Participation Awareness Fund. 

The grants are being provided for projects to support people with disabilities to take part in community, sports and physical activities, arts and cultural activities, social enterprises and neurodiversity initiatives.

The projects for people with disabilities include canoeing clubs how to cater for people with disabilities, audio theatre workshops, disability arts festivals and a DIY wheelchair repair programme.

There are also employment skills courses for people with disabilities and stroke rehabilitation courses.

In September 2024, a call for applications was launched under the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund and following a robust selection process, 22 successful organisations will now receive grant awards of up to approx. €200,000.

Cork Northwest Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea welcomes the announcement from his Colleague Minister Norma Foley saying “22 new projects will receive funding under this round of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund, a total of 15 projects for Cork. These grants are being provided to support people with disabilities to take part in community life, sports, arts and cultural activities, social enterprises and neurodiversity initiatives. These projects will offer new and exciting opportunities for people with disabilities in Cork to show their talents and abilities.

Announcing these most recent recipients of funding under the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund, Minister Foley said: “I am delighted to announce that 22 innovative new projects will receive funding under this round of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund. There is a wonderful range of projects to support people with disabilities of all ages to live full and active lives. They include sailing voyages, forest singing workshops, school therapy dog programmes and fully inclusive circus performances.  These projects will offer new and exciting opportunities for people with disabilities to show their talents and abilities and to reach their true potential.

Minister of State Naughton added” The brilliant initiatives which will be funded by this most recent round of DPAF funding will have a lasting impact on society by promoting more understanding and awareness of disability matters within the community, creating genuine employment opportunities for disabled people through the provision of various training programmes, providing life changing supports with assistive technology and facilitating meaningful participation in many recreational activities, fostering that broader sense of community and belonging for everyone.”

The ministers made the announcement at the Together Academy Café in Dun Laoghaire, which is receiving funding to provide training and work experience for people with disabilities.

The fund is operated on behalf of the Department by Rethink Ireland, and each of the successful projects will receive both grants and non-financial support as part of the funding model. 

The following projects were successful: 

ENDS//