Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the announcement by her Government colleague, Minister Anne Rabbitte TD that €2.5 million will be made available to local authorities to implement opportunities for people with disabilities to partake in activities at local level and to remove barriers to community involvement
Senator Fiona O’Loughlin said, “I welcome todays announcement, of a €2.5 million in funding under the first year of a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).”
“Grants of up to €80,000 will be allocated to local authorities to fund their own projects, or to support those of partner community organisations”
“As we continue on our journey to meet our obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we need to see action taken at every level of society. I am pleased to see Minister Rabbitte taking action on this issue. This Fund will help us reach people in their communities, improving their opportunities to participate more fully in local and everyday life.”
“I have always been a passionate advocate for those living with disabilities. As a country and as a society we need to ensure that all of our citizens are afforded equal opportunities to meet their full potential- meeting people where they are is key to achieving this”
Senator O’Loughlin concluded “I am hopeful that Kildare County Council will make an application to avail of this funding, and that the Local Authority or community partner organisations can benefit from this funding”