Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has confirmed Cavan and Monaghan will receive over €666,000 in once-off funding for voluntary and community health providers to assist with energy inflation costs.
The funding from the Government’s Inflation Fund will go towards various community-based organisations in the region who have faced serious cost-of-living pressures.
The Department of Health has worked with the HSE to finalise the scope and basis for distributing the funding. More than 1,450 organisations nationwide will receive payments, ranging from local community groups to major national service providers.
Deputy Smith said: “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.”
The allocation of €81m from the Government’s ‘Inflation Fund’ was announced by 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 on Monday 20th February.
The funding is a once-off payment in recognition of inflationary cost increases incurred over the course of 2022, and the impact of these on the cost of delivering services under each organisation’s relevant agreement with the Department of Health.
Eligible organisations will receive a letter from the HSE shortly confirming the amount they will receive and the terms of the fund.
Deputy Smith added: “I’d like to thank Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and his colleagues, for their support and commitment to the health and wellbeing of our communities. This funding will go a long way towards supporting the invaluable work of community-based and voluntary health and social care providers in Cavan and Monaghan.”
“I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in Government to ensure that our communities have access to the resources and support they need to provide the best possible level of services.”
