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Cork County Council has allocated over €70,000 to a range of community and voluntary organisations across the County in the first round of Covid-19 Community Emergency Funding, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Groups across the County, from Bere Island to Youghal, have been successful in securing the emergency funding to aid with exceptional one-off costs incurred in the response to the Covid-19 crisis. In assessing the first round of applications, Cork County Council prioritised the allocation of funding to groups involved in the front-line delivery of community response work. Successful applicants include local community groups who have stepped up their efforts to respond to Covid-19, Meals on Wheels Services who faced increased demand, Children & Youth out-reach services, Community Radio and Age Friendly initiatives. Amongst the successful applicants were Cloyne Diocesan Youth Service in Fermoy, Irish Red Cross in Mallow/Charleville, Macroom Senior Citizens Housing Development Ltd., West Cork Counselling and Support Services Ltd. and YMCA Ireland – Parents and Kids Together in Cobh.

Welcoming the allocations, Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Ian Doyle commended the efforts of groups.

“Community and voluntary groups the length and breadth of the County have risen to the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the communities of County Cork. We in Cork County Council are delighted to be able to direct the COVID-19 Community Emergency Funding to where it is most needed.”

In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, Cork County Council has been leading a countywide co-ordination and collaboration Forum. The COVID-19 Community Support Forum and corresponding delivery groups each incorporate representation across a broad range of statutory and non-statutory bodies; including local community, voluntary and response agencies; ranging from An Garda Síochána, through to the HSE, local development companies, GAA and church authorities.

Speaking on the emergency funding allocation, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey noted that the Council has convened weekly meetings of these agencies, by teleconference call facility, since the crisis began.

“These structures have been hugely beneficial in identifying emerging issues. Emergency funding to frontline community response groups was one of these issues and the Council responded by providing a simple online application process to allocate the Department funding to groups most in need.”

Cork County Council will open the call for the second round of COVID-19 Emergency Funding later this year. For further information you can contact the Covid-19 Community Support Helpline at 1850 805 819 or email [email protected]

Summary of Cork County Council Covid 19 Emergency Fund Allocations:

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