Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697804762174.pdf (Ireland)
Dormant Accounts Fund Review of the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme June 2022 Prepared by the Department of Rural and Community Development gov.ie Table of Contents Section 1 : Introduction and Background ........................................................................... 4 1.1 1.2 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4 Background to the Dormant Accounts Fund ........................................................ 5 1.3 Ministerial responsibility and functions of the Minister ....................................... 5 1.4 Making of a Disbursement Scheme ..................................................................... 6 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Preparation of Annual Action Plans ..................................................................... 6 Invitations to Apply for Disbursements ............................................................... 7 Preparation of Annual Reports ............................................................................ 8 Review of Disbursement Schemes ....................................................................... 8 Structure of this Review ...................................................................................... 8 Section 2: Consideration of previous Disbursement Scheme review .................................. 9 2.1 Analysis of Implementation of Recommendations in Previous Review ..................... 9 2.2 Summary and recommendations: ..................................................................... 13 Section 3: Implementation of the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme ............................... 14 3.1 Key aspects of the DAF Disbursement Scheme 2020-2022 ...................................... 14 3.2 Assessment of funding and implementation of Disbursement Scheme Objectives .. 15 3.3 Assessment of progress with Disbursement Scheme Strategies .............................. 20 3.4 Overall approval and funding levels under the Dormant Accounts Fund .................
 20 3.5 Reviewing the Impact of DAF Measures ................................................................. 21 3.6 Decommittals ........................................................................................................ 23 3.7 Summary and Recommendations: ......................................................................... 23 Section 4: Reviewing the long term sustainability of the fund ......................................... 25 4.1 The sustainable level of disbursement from the Dormant Accounts Fund ........... 25 Section 5: Summary of the Recommendations: ............................................................... 27 Appendix 1: All DAF measures approved over the 2020-22 period ................................... 28 Appendix 2: Funding decommitted from 2020-22 ............................................................ 36 3 Section 1 : Introduction and Background 1.1 Introduction The Dormant Accounts Act, as amended, provides for the establishment of a fund for unclaimed accounts in credit institutions and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.
It also provides for a scheme for the disbursement of funds that are unlikely to be reclaimed by account holders for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist the economically, socially or educationally disadvantaged, or persons with a disability.

Funds are disbursed to such measures in line with the provision of Disbursement Schemes which cover a three year period and subsequent Annual Action Plans which set out approved measures in line with the relevant Disbursement Scheme.
The Act also provides for a review of the Disbursement Scheme at least once every three years.

This is the second such review and it covers the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme.

This review also provides an update on the implementation of the recommendations made in the previous review of the Disbursement Scheme.
This previous review took place in the context of the 2016 Report on the Account of Public Services by the Comptroller and Auditor General which considered the administration of the Dormant Accounts Fund, and the subsequent consideration of that report by the Public Accounts Committee in February 2018.

Following the previous review, an interdepartmental group was established consisting of Departments which receive funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
This group has continued to meet regularly, and has contributed to this review and agreed to its contents.

With regard to the structure of this document:  This section details the provisions of the Dormant Accounts Act (as amended) and how they are applied in terms of administration of measures funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund.

 Section 2 summarises the recommendations from the previous review and the current position of the recommendations.
 Section 3 outlines the key aspects of the Disbursement Scheme and reviews the measures which were approved in Action Plans during the period under consideration.

 Section 4 specifically considers the sustainability of the fund and indicates likely future levels of disbursement from the fund.

 Section 5 brings together the recommendations made throughout the review.
4 1.2 Background to the Dormant Accounts Fund The Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e.

banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.
The main purpose of the legislation is to reunite account or policy holders with their funds in credit institutions or insurance undertakings and, in this regard, these bodies are required to take steps to identify and contact the owners of dormant accounts and unclaimed life assurance policies.
The legislation also introduced a scheme for the disbursement of funds that are unlikely to be reclaimed but only for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist:  the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or   persons with a disability.
Dormant funds or unclaimed life assurance policies which have not been reclaimed by the original accounts/policy holder or their beneficiaries are transferred each year by the holding institution to the Dormant Accounts Fund which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency.

The transfer of moneys takes place on the basis that the beneficial owner has a guaranteed right of reclaim to their property at any time in the future.
1.3 Ministerial responsibility and functions of the Minister Under the 2012 Act, the Minister with responsibility for decisions relating to the disbursement of moneys from the Dormant Accounts Fund is required to:  Make a Disbursement Scheme for a period not exceeding three years.

The Disbursement Scheme sets out guiding principles for disbursements and priority areas under the headings economic and social disadvantage, educational disadvantage, and persons with a disability.
 Carry out a review of the Disbursement Scheme at least once every three years.

 Prepare an Action Plan, at least once a year, to give effect to a Disbursement Scheme.

Action Plans contain details of measures to be funded under the Disbursement Scheme.

They set out the maximum amount proposed for disbursement in relation to each measure during the period to which the Action Plan relates.
5  Where a measure specified in an Action Plan is under the remit of the Minister, he/she may invite applications for disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

 The Minister is also required to prepare, no later than 30 June each year, an annual report to the Government on the operation of disbursements during the preceding year.
Since July 2017 the Minister for Rural and Community Development has held statutory responsibility for these functions and decisions relating to the disbursement of moneys from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

These functions are currently delegated to the Minister of State within the Department of Rural and Community Development.
This role had previously been held by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (June 2016-July 2017) and the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government/Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (December 2012-June 2016).

Further detail on the requirements of the 2012 Act is set out below.
1.4 Making of a Disbursement Scheme Under the Dormant Accounts Acts the Minister is charged with preparing a Disbursement Scheme for the disbursement of moneys from the Fund.

The Disbursement Scheme, which runs for a period not exceeding 3 years, sets out guiding principles for disbursements and priority areas under the headings of economic and social disadvantage, educational disadvantage, and persons with a disability; as prescribed in the 2012 Act.
In preparing the Disbursement Scheme, the Act states that the Minister must consult with the Ministers for Education, Health, Social Protection and other persons/Ministers as the Minister considers appropriate.

The Minister must also take account of the funding available in the Dormant Accounts Fund over the period of the scheme and the need to ensure that funding is used in a cost-effective manner.
The scheme must be approved by Government, as should any proposed amendment to the scheme, and it must also be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The legislation also requires that the Minister carry out a review of the Disbursement Scheme at least once every three years.
1.5 Preparation of Annual Action Plans Following the making of the Disbursement Scheme for the relevant 3 year period, the Minister is required to prepare, at least once a year, an Action Plan for the purpose of giving effect to the Disbursement Scheme.

As with the Disbursement Scheme, the Plan is drawn up in consultation with the Ministers for Education, Health, Social Protection and other persons/Ministers as the Minister considers 6 appropriate.
Having regard to these consultations, to the funding available in the Dormant Accounts Fund and to cost effectiveness concerns, the Minister may decide to adopt an action plan or not.

In addition, even when an Action Plan has been adopted, the Minister may decide that applications for disbursement shall not be invited (again, following consultation with the aforementioned Ministers and having regard to funding levels and cost effectiveness).
This applies to disbursements to be carried out by all Ministers.

These Action Plans contain details of measures to be funded under the Disbursement Scheme.

They set out the maximum amount proposed for disbursement in relation to each measure during the period to which the Action Plan relates.

Any adopted Action Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published.
1.6 Invitations to Apply for Disbursements In instances in which a measure specified in an Action Plan is under the remit of the Minister he may invite applications for disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Any such invitation must set out a notice inviting applications and the assessment criteria to be applied, along with information relating to the programmes or types of projects for which applications are being sought, the relevant procedures, the assessment criteria and closing date.
Following assessment of applications, the Minister must prepare a report on the outcome of the assessments, detailing the amounts to be disbursed, and submit the list of successful applications to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for approval.
In addition, in circumstances where other Ministers carry out the above process in relation to measures in the Action Plan which lie within their remit, it should be noted that the list of successful applications for funding must be submitted to the Minister for Rural and Community Development for approval, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development is then required to lay a statement before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as soon as practicable following the above approval process, setting out a list of approved applications and the amounts to be disbursed from the Fund.

The list must also be made available to the public.
The amounts which were approved for disbursement must in the first instance be paid out of the relevant Department's vote and reimbursement then sought, via the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, from the National Treasury Management Agency to be applied as an appropriation-in-aid.

7 1.7 Preparation of Annual Reports The Minister is also responsible for preparing, no later than 30 June each year, an annual report to the Government on the operation of disbursements during the preceding year.
The Minister may also set out any findings, conclusions, or recommendations, relating to the operation of disbursements.

Following submission to Government, the Minister must lay copies of the annual report before the Houses of the Oireachtas and publish the report.

1.8 Review of Disbursement Schemes The legislation also sets out a requirement to review the Disbursement Scheme.
The Act states that the review shall be carried out within 3 years after the first Disbursement Scheme is made (which is the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme), and then at least once in every 3 years thereafter.

No review had been completed at the time of the transfer of these functions to the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Therefore, the previous review completed by this Department considered both the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme and the 2017-2019 Disbursement Scheme.
This review considers the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme, with consideration and analysis of previous years, where relevant.

It was completed in consultation with the Dormant Accounts Fund Interdepartmental Group.

1.9 Structure of this Review While the 2012 Act requires that the Minister carry out a review of the Disbursement Scheme at least once every three years, the legislation contains no requirements or provisions as to what that review should or must entail.
This review examines the following four areas:  Consider the current position with regard to implementation of the 15 recommendations from the previous review of Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Schemes and assess if these have had the expected outcomes;  Review the operation of the Dormant Accounts Fund during the 2020-2022 disbursement scheme period, and prior years where appropriate;  Identify any findings or recommendations that could improve the operation of the fund through adjustment of the next Disbursement Scheme;  Review the long term sustainability of the fund to inform the level of disbursement that could take place during the 2023-2025 Disbursement Scheme.
8 Section 2: Consideration of previous Disbursement Scheme review As noted, the previous review of the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme covered both the 2013-2016 and 2017-2019 schemes.

It was carried out in the context of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the operation of the fund, and subsequent consideration of that report by the Committee on Public Accounts, which found significant failings in the operation and administration of the Dormant Accounts Fund in the period to 2017.
In this context, the previous review detailed 15 recommendations to improve the operation and administration of the fund.

This section considers the progress made in implementing those recommendations and the impact it has had on disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
2.1 Analysis of Implementation of Recommendations in Previous Review Following in depth analysis, and work across Government Departments, the previous review made 15 recommendations aimed at improving the administration and operation of the fund.

The table overleaf details the recommendations and the progress made in their implementation.

In summary, 11 of the 15 recommendations are complete, with the remaining 4 recommendations ongoing in their implementation to date.
Some of the key reforms implemented include: in nature and with substantial progress made  The simplification of the Disbursement Scheme to improve the operation of the fund and reduce the burden on Departments interested in utilising the fund.

 The development of effective guidance for Departments utilising the fund, covering areas such as application processes, approval processes, legislative requirements and the annual timelines associated with the fund.
This guidance was most recently updated in 2021.

 Greatly improved administration of the fund with all annual reports and action plans since 2018 produced in a timely manner, a tracker sheet of all measures across Departments maintained by DRCD on an ongoing basis, and an annual decommittal process whereby funds no longer required for a specific measure are decommitted so that the resources can be used elsewhere.
 The reforms and simplification of processes has enabled much greater engagement across Government, with 11 Departments now utilising the fund.

Related to this, the establishment of an interdepartmental group has been integral in the improved operation and administration of the fund.
The alignment of the application process and finalising of the Dormant Account Fund Action Plan with the budget process has also greatly improved the operation of the fund, with measures approved in Action 9 Plans now having greater funding certainty.

The application form was redesigned to ensure ease of use and collection of important information relating to each measure.
 With regard to the measures which are ongoing in nature, for example, increasing awareness of the Fund, and seeking to maximise the impact of funding for communities, good progress has been made but they will continue to require attention over the coming years.

10 RECOMMENDATIONS Status Future disbursement schemes should be simplified to remove any unnecessary restrictions on good projects which are aligned with the legislation.
This would ensure measures can be put forward that align with the most important policy challenges at any time.

Completed.

The 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme was simplified.

The previous overly complex scheme was changed with the current scheme having 4 high level objectives and 5 strategies to achieve those objectives.
in Action Plans how Departments should detail proposed measures align with (i) the legislation, (ii) the strategies identified in the relevant Disbursement Scheme, and (iii) relevant Government policy.

The implementation principles should be simplified and refined in future disbursement schemes, to eliminate principles which already apply through the public spending code, and to place a greater focus on the effective management of the DAF within and across Departments.
Short and coherent guidance documents need to be developed which set out the requirements for both DRCD and funded Departments with regard to information and financial management, and reporting requirements under the legislation including required procedures for when Departments run subsequent schemes to disburse funds.

Such guidance needs to be developed to facilitate appropriate administration of the fund and to ensure Departments potentially seeking funding are fully informed of how the fund operates.
Completed.

Applications for measure to be funded under each annual action plan now contain tick boxes where Departments identify the objectives and strategies being addressed.

Completed the Disbursement Scheme detailed in Recommendation 1. simplification of through the Completed.

Guidance of the DAF processes was drafted in 2018 and circulated to all used of the Fund.

This guidance was updated in 2021.


Departments should ensure that drawdown of funds from the National Treasury Management Agency occur in a regular and timely manner following disbursement of voted funds to approved measures.

Ongoing - all Departments are reminded regularly to drawdown funds from the NTMA in a timely manner.

Drawdown does remain weighted towards year end, which reflects the annual project cycle, however continued attention will be paid to this area.
As part of this review a database of all live Dormant Accounts measures has been developed.

This contains scheme information, financial information such as maximum allocations and planned drawdown timelines, and contact points in each Department.

This information should be updated quarterly by Department of Rural and Community Development, through reports from all relevant Departments.
An interdepartmental group should be established, and meet on a 6 monthly basis, to inform and monitor progress in the implementation of Disbursement Schemes and Action Plans and ensure up to date co- ordinated information is maintained.

The decommital process put in place as part of the 2018 Action Plan must be implemented on an ongoing basis to ensure moneys in the fund are actively managed, put to best use, and not set aside for measures which are complete or not going to progress.

Completed.
Completed.

DRCD compiled a tracker sheet listing all approved measures, spend on these measures and decommittals where relevant.

This is updated on an ongoing basis in co-operation with all Departments.

Completed.

The interdepartmental group was established in 2018 and continues to meet twice yearly.

This group has been instrumental in the improvements to the operation and administration of the fund.

Completed.
Completed.

As part of the preparation of each annual report Departments now decommit funds which are no longer required - mainly due to measures costing less than originally envisaged or through measures being superseded by other developments.

11 RECOMMENDATIONS An agreed schedule/timelines for the key milestones in the administration of the Fund should be developed and implemented.

This should include the production of the Disbursement Scheme, annual Action plans and Annual Reports.
The schedule must meet the requirements of the legislation and take account of the needs of Departments.

Seek to ensure that Departments prioritise Dormant Accounts measures during the estimates process.

In addition, investigate possible mechanisms to improve the interaction between Dormant Accounts Action Plans and the estimates process, given the need for a voted allocation to be secured to ensure measures progress.
Given the current value of the Dormant Account Fund, a sustainable level of expenditure for the short to medium term is around €40-45 million per annum.

Annual Action plans should seek to approve measures up to this value.

However, it must continue to be recognised that the use of these moneys are subject to the constraints of any other voted expenditure and so this level of funding may not be possible.
Further research should be undertaken to fully analyse the position with regard to possible additional sources of moneys for the Fund.

This work should be undertaken in collaboration with other relevant Departments and the Interdepartmental group.

With a view to improving the implementation of measures, Departments should be aware that the legislation allows for the cost of service providers to be met for the delivery of measures where Ministers invite applications for disbursements.
The guidelines to be prepared should provide detail on this possibility.

continue.

DRCD Recent steps to further raise awareness of the DAF the should through Interdepartmental Group and liaison with beneficiaries, further develop communication with regard to the fund; in particular communicating the availability and impact of the fund to the public, potential beneficiaries and across Government.
should, in In the context of future disbursement schemes and action plans, there should be a renewed focus on measures that can ensure funding reaches community and to disadvantaged groups and persons with a disability.

local groups which deliver services Status Completed.

This agreed schedule/timelines forms part the guidance documents detailed under of recommendation 4.
They form an important part of information sharing, in particular when people are new to the operation of the fund.

Completed.

The timelines of the DAF process where shifted in 2019 to align with the estimates process.

Development of the Annual Action Plan for the following year begins in May, with a draft plan agreed before Budget negotiations.

This has ensured measures can secure the voted moneys required.
DPER have also been an important part of this greatly improved co-ordination between Action Plans and each Department’s estimate.

Ongoing – Given strong inflows of funds, approvals increased to €55 million under the 2022 Action Plan, and 2021 saw both the normal spend and an additional €50 million in once off Covid-19 supports.
This recommendation is ongoing in nature and this review will also consider the sustainable level of future funding under the DAF based on strong recent spend and the level of inflow to the fund.

Completed.

This further research was completed by Deloitte with further work now required to follow-up on recommendations.

Completed.

This guidelines detailed under recommendation 6. information forms part of the Ongoing.

Good progress made over recent years.


Before the pandemic Annual Action Plans were launched at specific public events, and more focus is given to ensuring measures funded under the DAF are identified as such.

This recommendation requires ongoing attention, across Government, in future years.

Ongoing.
Ongoing.

This recommendation is ongoing in nature, with the current Disbursement Scheme including the need to maximise on the ground delivery of service or amenity, and funding projects which have the strongest direct impact on disadvantaged individuals and communities.

12 The detail set out in the above table summarises the recommendations made in the previous review of Disbursement Schemes, and the progress made implementing those recommendations.
The details in the following sections provides more information on the practical impact of these reforms in terms of the level of activity and impact of the fund.

in 2.2 Summary and recommendations: There has been huge improvements in the operation and administration of Dormant Account Fund since the last review.

In summary, 11 of the 15 recommendations in the previous review are now complete, with the remaining 4 ongoing in nature.
These ongoing measures require a continued focus over the period of the next Disbursement Scheme.

The approach of reducing complexity and ensuring more formal Departmental and interdepartmental structures has proven very effective.

The ultimate aim of the previous review was to improve the overall administration of the fund, ensure legislative requirements were met, and ensure that the funding with the DAF was put to its intended use following a number of years of very poor uptake and use of the funds.
The next section includes detailed analysis of the operation of the fund in the period since the review, which demonstrates the improvements which these reforms have achieved.

The above analysis suggests that a number of areas do need a continued focus for the 2023- 2025 period, with the following recommendations emerging from that analysis: Recommendations 1.
The implementation of reforms has been effective and there needs to be a continued focus on areas including the appropriate administration of the fund, meeting legislative requirements, and ensuring effective interdepartmental engagement and knowledge sharing.

Such actions have greatly improved the use of the fund and that focus needs to be maintained in future years so as to continue this success.

2.
2.

There needs to be a continued focus on ensuring timely drawdown of funds from the NTMA, both to facilitate NTMA management of the fund, and to ensure DRCD can maintain an accurate picture of the overall value and liabilities on the fund.

3.
3.

While the research into potential additional sources of dormant funds has been completed, as recommended in the previous review, further work is now required to explore whether it is feasible to utilise a small number of asset types identified as having potential in that work.

4.

There is also a need for a continued focus across Government on raising awareness of the fund and ensuring that beneficiaries clearly communicate the fact they have received funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

5.
5.

Likewise, there is also a need to continue the focus on ensuring that existing and new measures facilitate funding reaching community and local groups which deliver services to disadvantaged groups and persons with a disability.

13 Section 3: Implementation of the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme In this section the objectives and strategies of the Disbursement Scheme 2020-2022 are outlined and an assessment made regarding implementation of the scheme.
Information is also provided on the level of funding approvals and expenditure over the period since the previous review, and how this funding has been targeted in terms of the relevant objectives.

This information also helps demonstrate the impact of the reforms detailed in Section 2 of the report.
3.1 Key aspects of the DAF Disbursement Scheme 2020-2022 Both the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme and the 2017-2019 Disbursement Scheme set out relatively complex funding frameworks for the subsequent annual action plans.

For example, in addition to the objectives set down in legislation, the 2017-2019 scheme detailed 9 guiding principles, 3 priority areas and 30 individual strategies.
The previous review of disbursement schemes, published in July 2018, identified that this was an overly complex approach, and could potentially restrict projects that emerge from new policy priorities.

To address this issue, and in consultation with other Government Departments, the Disbursement Scheme 2020-2022 was simplified.

It details high level objectives and strategies to be implemented over the period.
The exact areas for funding or types of measures proposed are decided on by the Departments putting forward proposals.

This has allowed policy priorities to be addressed as they emerge, but within the high level framework identified in the Disbursement Scheme.
Disbursement Scheme Objectives: The following are the objectives detailed in the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme, which states that the types of projects and programmes approved in Dormant Accounts Action Plans developed over the 2020-2022 period will align with one or more of objectives 1-3 below: Objective 1: To assist programmes/projects designed to counter economic and/or social disadvantage.

Objective 2: To assist programmes/projects designed to address issues (e.g.
socio- economic or other disadvantage such as disability, literacy difficulties, ill health etc.)

preventing children and adults from deriving appropriate benefit from education.

Objective 3: To assist programmes/projects designed to give effect to the Government’s objective to ensure that persons with a disability (as defined in the Equal Status Act 2000) play a more active role in society and increase their level of independence.
The Disbursement Scheme also states that in assessing applications for funding from Government Departments, the Minister will ensure alignment with at least one of the above objectives, and will also consider objective 4 below.

14 Objective 4: To maximise the overall impact of the fund and to ensure an appropriate spread of projects and programmes both in terms of the socio-economic objectives and geographic spread.
Disbursement Scheme Strategies: The Dormant Accounts Acts require that the Disbursement Scheme sets out the strategies for achieving the above objectives, and the 2020-2022 Disbursement scheme set out the following general strategies or principles to be considered when developing the subsequent Annual Action Plans:  Strategy 1: Funding those projects which have the strongest direct impact on disadvantaged individuals and communities.
 Strategy 2: Seeking to maximise on-the-ground delivery of services or amenity – including, where appropriate, delivery through community and voluntary organisations.

 Strategy 3: Aiming to increase the total impact of the fund, for example, through match funding from philanthropic sources or use of corporate social responsibility resources within projects or programme.
 Strategy 4: Working to ensure a good flow of new and innovate projects and programmes are funded – with ongoing measures that have proven successful moving to normal Exchequer funding, if possible and more appropriate.

 Strategy 5: Measuring and demonstrating the impact and outcome of projects supported by the Fund.
Finally, it should be noted that the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme states that Departments applying for funding through the Annual Action Plan process should provide information on how the proposed measure aligns with the above objectives and strategies.

In practical terms the application process administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development captures this information for each measure.
3.2 Assessment of funding for, and implementation of Disbursement Scheme Objectives In the Action Plans covered by this review there were 73 different measures included, some over multiple years, with a total approvals of over €205m.

This included funding in 2020 for once off €50 million in Covid-19 supports for the broad charities, community and voluntary sectors.
For the application process, Departments completed an application form which included questions on what objective would be addressed by the proposed measure and also if the 15 measure was national or regional.

Departments were also asked to consider the five strategies outlined in the Disbursement Scheme.

In the Disbursement Scheme considered, three Priority Areas to be addressed by Dormant Accounts funding are identified.
These are (i) Economic and Social Disadvantage; (ii) Educational Disadvantage and (iii) Persons with a Disability.

While many measures cross all three priority areas the following chart outlines the breakdown per area.

Appendix 2 provides the full list of measures and the priority areas which they seek to address.
Number of measures addressing the DAF Priority Areas for 2020-2022 (total measures 73) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Economic and Social Disadvantage Educational Disadvantage Persons with a Disability It can be seen from the above chart that most measures address more than one priority area, and Appendix 2 shows that, for example, 20 measures address all three areas.
This support for multiple objectives arises in particular for schemes which grant fund a range of organisations, for example social enterprise supports, social innovation supports and a range of youth interventions.

The following paragraphs provide further detail on the types of measures linked to each of the priority areas.

As stated previously, some measures address more than one priority area.
16 Economic and Social Disadvantage Strategic Objective: To assist innovative projects and programmes which are designed to counter economic and social disadvantage.
68 measures had this as one of their objectives, including the following examples:  Young People – The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have a number of measures such as “Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring Programme” and “Youth Sector Equality and Inclusion Support Initiative” that provide assistance for provision of youth and community programmes, in particular those aimed at vulnerable young people and those in disadvantaged areas.
 Youth Employability – DCEDIY have a number of measures such as “Youth Employability Initiative” that provide assistance for youth work, work experience and other initiatives in youth employment, employability and entrepreneurship.

 Traveller and/or Roma Initiatives – A number of departments such as DRCD, DCEDIY and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) have measures designed to support socio-economic, educational and accommodation issues for traveller and Roma communities.
 Homelessness – The Dormant Accounts Fund supplements the DHLGH “Housing First” programme which aims to transition homeless individuals to long-term housing.

 Awareness of Domestic and Sexual Violence – D/Justice have measures to help highlight the help and supports available to people in their own local area.

 Refugees Support Initiatives – DCEDIY have a “Refugees Support Initiatives” that provide aftercare support to unaccompanied minor refugees.
Educational Disadvantage Strategic Objective: To assist programmes or projects which overcome the impediments arising from social and economic disadvantage and which prevent learners from deriving appropriate benefit from education.

44 measures had this as one of their objectives.
A number of Departments, primarily the Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovative and Science (DFHERIS) and the Department of Justice have measures supporting this objective, for example:  Literacy and Numeracy Initiatives – The Department of Education measure “Time to Count” supports the national strategy on literacy and numeracy, providing numeracy support to 8-9 year old children in local disadvantaged primary schools.
 Pre-school education Initiatives – DCEDIY have a number of measures such as “Baby Box” and “First 5 Little Library Project” which provides books to early learning and care settings nationally.

17  Skills and Adult/Further Education/Training Initiatives – The Department of Education measure “Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme” engages young people who are experiencing adversity and disadvantage by providing them with opportunities to develop and apply entrepreneurial skills.
 Targeted educational initiatives for Traveller and Newcomer Students – DFHERIS measure “Travellers and Roma in Higher Education” aims to increase participation and understand the barriers to that which exist for Traveller students.

Dept Education measures “Travellers and Roma Education Fund” and “Travellers and Roma Learners Transitions” provides educational supports to the Traveller and Roma community.
 Enhancement of Library Facilities in Disadvantaged Areas – DRCD measure “Public Libraries” provides supports to number of disadvantaged groups such as refugees, Travellers and people with learning difficulties.

Persons with a Disability Strategic Objective: To give effect to the Government’s objective to ensure that persons with a disability (as defined in the Equal Status Act 2000) play a more active role in society and increase their level of independence.

27 measures had this as an objective.
A number of Departments, primarily DRCD, the Dept Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM), and the Department of Social Protection have measures covering this objective, for example:  Assistance with measures enhancing empowerment and promoting equality of persons with a disability – DTCAGSM measure “Sports measures for disadvantaged communities to support the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) and the National Sports policy” promotes increased levels of participation in sport and physical activity.
 Provision of appropriate/enhanced services – The Department of Education measure “Learners with Special Educational Need Transitions” supports the transition from school to adult life for people with intellectual disability.

DRCD have measures such as “Social Enterprise” and “Disadvantaged Community Enhancement Scheme” that provides funding across multiple objectives, including supports for people with a disability.
 Assistance to lessen the economic and social disadvantage experienced by persons with a disability – Dept of Social Protection measure “Measures to Support Employment, Education and Training Outcomes for People with a Disability” assists working age people with disabilities to access training, education and employment.
18 Impact and Geographical Spread Strategic Objective: To maximise the overall impact of the fund and to ensure an appropriate spread of projects and programmes both in terms of the socio-economic objectives and geographic spread.
The objective of maximising the impact of the fund originated in the very limited expenditure achieved to 2017, the fact that the funds being allocated from the Dormant Accounts Fund were not being used as intended, and the recognised need to understand the impact of this funding for the target groups.

The overall level of expenditure is considered in detail in section 3.4 and demonstrates the improvement over the period to 2021.
In terms of the impact this funding is having, it is the responsibility of each funding Department to ensure the funding is put to good use, in line with their obligations under the public spending code.

Annual Reports are produced each year which summarise what is being delivered through the use of Dormant Accounts Fund resources.

Case studies are now provided in these Annual Reports to better demonstrate the impact of specific measures.
Section 3.5 provides some further detail on reviews completed by Departments during the period of this Disbursement Scheme.

With regard to the geographical spread of projects, this aspect of the objective related to ensuring projects were not restricted to, for example, large urban areas.

The data presented here shows that 59 measures were national and 14 regional in nature, indicating a good coverage of projects across Ireland.
Geographical Spread (number of projects) Regional, 14 National, 59 National Regional 19 3.3 Assessment of progress with regard to the Disbursement Scheme Strategies Section 3.1 above outlined the 5 strategies detailed in the 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme.

The broad thrust of the first two strategies was to ensure the Dormant Accounts Fund delivers on the ground at local level, for example, support communities and community and voluntary organisations.
From the measures approved over the relevant period, and detailed in Appendix 1, it is clear that the funding is being used to support individuals and communities who are disadvantaged, and that significant funding is being channelled through community and voluntary groups.

In each of the Action Plans for 2021 and 2022 around 40% of measures sought applications from interested local groups that were then assessed and awarded by individual departments after final approval from the Minister of State in DRCD.
This represented approximately 65% of funding which was made available through competitive disbursement processes.

The third strategy aimed to increase funding through match funding from philanthropic sources or use of corporate social responsibility resources within projects or programme.

Rethink Ireland (formerly SIFI) as a partnership between private sector and Government, make payments on a 50:50 match funding basis, 50% from philanthropic sources and 50% from the Dormant Accounts fund.
Allocations to Rethink Ireland have remained at €5.5m each year for the period of this review, with this funding matches by Rethink Ireland through philanthropic donations.

Other measures that include philanthropic funding include the Dept Education measure “Growing Youth Participation and Innovation in Irish Communities” which is supported by philanthropy in particular the Tomar Trust which matched funding up to €1m.
DECDIY have also a measure “Youth Education and Mental Health” that utilises match funding from Rethink Ireland.

While there has been some success implementing this strategy opportunities have been limited and further focus would be required should this remain as a strategy in future disbursement schemes.

The fourth strategy aimed to ensure a flow of new measures.

There were 14 new measures in 2020, 17 in 2021 and 22 new measures approved for 2022.

This indicates a good flow of new measures each year.
Again, continued focus would be needed to ensure this is maintained in future years.

Finally, the fifth strategy was around measuring impact and aligned with objective 4 detailed in the Disbursement Scheme.

The previous section briefly considered this issue, and section 3.5 provides further information on how this strategy has progress.
3.4 Overall approval and funding levels under the Dormant Accounts Fund As previously noted, the Disbursement Scheme provides an overarching framework for the development of Annual Action Plans which contain the specific measures to be supported across Government each year.

The report by the Comptroller and Auditor General identified 20 a poor level of funding drawdown as a significant issue.
Attempting to both improve the level of approved funding, and actual use of these funds, was a key part of the review completed by the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2018.
The chart below shows the level of funding approvals and funding drawdown over the period 2012 to 2021: Funding approvals & disbursements from DAF Action Plans for 2012- 2022 100,000,000 90,000,000 80,000,000 70,000,000 60,000,000 € 50,000,000 40,000,000 30,000,000 20,000,000 10,000,000 0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Max value of approvals in Action Plans Disbursements With regard to the above chart it should be noted that the relatively low level of approvals in 2019 (€6.6m) relates to changed timelines so that the approval of Dormant Accounts Action Plans aligned with the annual Estimates process.
It should also be noted that €50 million in approvals and expenditure for 2020 related to once-off Covid-19 supports for the broad charities, community and voluntary sectors.

The information in the charts demonstrates the significant progress made in terms of both the levels of approvals being made and the ultimate drawdown from the fund.
Approvals have reached levels of €45.5 million in 2020 (excluding the once off Covid-19 supports) and increased to €55.5 million in 2022, based on the level of funding available.

Perhaps more importantly these approvals are now being utilised, with disbursements from the fund increasing from around €15.6 million in 2017 to €43.4 million by 2020 (excluding the once off Covid-19 supports) and to €51.7 million in 2021.
3.5 Reviewing the Impact of DAF Measures As noted, a specific strategy in the 2020-22 Disbursement Scheme was around assessing and understanding the impact of DAF measures.

As previously noted, each Government 21 Department is responsible for delivery and administration of their own projects and programmes approved in any Action Plan.
All money from the Dormant Accounts Fund must be treated in exactly the same way as other public moneys and, as such, funding stemming from this disbursement scheme must be administered in accordance with Government guidelines and accounting procedures.

The Annual Reports produced each year provide information on the delivery of each measure in the relevant year.

In addition recent Annual Reports have provided case studies of specific impact.
Furthermore, through the measures so as to better understand their interdepartmental group a focus has been placed on completing reviews of relevant measures, as appropriate, by the responsible Department.

The following are some of the reviews that took place, or are in progress, during the term of the Disbursement Scheme 2020-2022.
Department Measure Report/Link DRCD Library Projects for Marginalised, Socially Excluded and Disadvantaged Communities Report available on request DRCD Rethink Ireland DRCD Senior Alerts Scheme https://rethinkireland.ie/reports/ https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.g ov.ie/202348/19631bde-e750-4818-830d- 53f406d73878.pdf#page=null DCEDIY What Works Initiative Currently in progress DTCAGSM DTCAGSM DTCAGSM D/Justice (Probation) National Physical Activity Plan Community Sport & Physical Activity Hubs- Phase 1 Hubs Community Sport & Physical Activity Hubs- Phase 2 & 3 Hubs Currently in progress https://www.sportireland.ie/research/evaluat ion/evaluation https://www.sportireland.ie/research/evaluat ion/evaluation Kickstart Currently in progress D/Justice Garda Youth Diversion Service 3 Reports available on request D/Education City Connects Currently in progress D/Health Dementia post-diagnostic support grant scheme https://cesrd.ie/wp- content/uploads/2019/12/An-Evaluation-of- the-HSE-s-National-Dementia-Post-Diagnostic- Support-Grant-Scheme-2019-.pdf 22 3.6 Decommittals The previous review of Disbursement Schemes recommended that a decommittal process be put in place and be implemented on an ongoing basis to ensure moneys in the fund are actively managed, put to best use, and not set aside for measures which are complete or not going to progress.
Significant decommittals took place on foot of this recommendation with €16.5 million decommitted in the 2017 Annual Report, €407,000 decommitted in the 2018 Annual Report, and €8.6m decommitted in the 2019 Annual report.

These substantial amounts of decommitted funding generally related to a number of projects which were approved since the first Action Plan in 2014 but which did not progress as intended.
Since then decommittals have continued on an ongoing basis, usually due either to a measure costing less than envisaged or planned measures being superseded by other initiatives.

In the period of this review 13 measures have decommitted funds to the value of just over €5m.

Appendix 2 provides a full list of these recent decommittals.

3.7 Summary and Recommendations: Under the Dormant Accounts Acts Disbursement Schemes must be put in place at least every three years.
The Acts state that the Disbursement Scheme should outline the objectives to be achieved by making disbursements from the DAF, and the strategies for achieving those objectives.

The current 2020-2022 Disbursement Scheme, which is the subject of this review, greatly simplified the previous approach, on foot of recommendations from the review of previous schemes.

This resulted in 4 high level objectives and 5 strategies to achieve those objectives.
The application process for Departments seeking to utilise Dormant Accounts funding was aligned to these objectives and strategies, ensuring measures put forward were consistent with the Disbursement Scheme.

An analysis of measures funded demonstrates good coverage in terms of the objectives, however there could be benefit in ensuring a greater focus on measures to support persons with a disability in the next disbursement scheme.
The measures approved have predominantly been national in nature, with 80% of measures national and the remaining 20% regional in nature.

This suggests the fund is indeed having a balanced impact across the country.

The measures supported since 2020 demonstrate that the strategies detailed in the disbursement scheme have been followed.

The measures listed in Appendix 2 clearly demonstrate the fact that they are supporting disadvantaged individuals and groups.
It is also noteworthy that around 40% of measures sought applications from interested local groups which shows that funds are aimed at a local level.

This accounts for 65% of funding over the period in question.

However, it is worth noting that the strategy around seeking to leverage additional funding through match philanthropic funding or corporate social responsibility 23 contributions has proven challenging.
Nonetheless some progress has been made through Rethink Ireland and other bodies such as the Tomar Trust.

In terms of the strategies it is also worth noting that new projects have emerged throughout the disbursement scheme period and over half of the measures in the 2022 Action Plan were new measures.

The strategy around measuring impact has also seen progress, with case studies in Annual Reports and a number of reviews of measures complete or ongoing – however, continued focus is needed in this area.
Finally, in terms of overall funding levels, in the three Action Plans covered by this review, measures of over €204m were approved.

The simplifying of the Disbursement Scheme has contributed to the drawdown increasing to just over €51m in 2021 and measures worth over €55m been approved for 2022.

This compares to disbursements of just €12m in 2016 and €15.7m in 2017.

Recommendations: 6.
Recommendations: 6.

The simplified disbursement scheme has enabled a better engagement with the fund and drawdown of funds across Government.

This simplified structure should therefore be maintained for the next scheme.

7.

The measures approved have achieved a good balance across the different objectives, however, a further focus on how more measures could include some aspect of support for persons with a disability could be warranted.

8.
8.

There is a need for continued focus on specific strategies, if they continue to be part of the next disbursement scheme, including ensuring a flow of new projects and measuring the impact of schemes.

24 Section 4: Reviewing the long term sustainability of the fund The Dormant Account Act requires that the Disbursement Schemes put in place have regard to the level of funding available within the Dormant Accounts Fund.
This section provides a short analysis on possible future funding levels, to inform preparation of future Disbursement Schemes.

It is important that a sustainable funding level is achieved so that measures can be sustained over the medium term.

While this section considers this appropriate level, it needs to be assessed on an ongoing basis in light of inflows to, and outflows from, the Dormant Accounts Fund.
4.1 The sustainable level of disbursement from the Dormant Accounts Fund The total value of the Dormant Accounts Fund stands at €231 million at year end 2021.

The National Treasury Management Agency maintains a reserve account for future repayments to account holders and the payment of administration fees for measures rolled out and this is at €107m.

This leaves a net figure of €124m for disbursement.

Of this €124m, €63m is already committed to through existing approvals.
The average amount transferred into the fund in the last five years is €62m per year with an average of €22m per year been reclaimed.

There can be significant variation each year, for example in 2008 €33m was transferred to the fund and in 2007 €34m was reclaimed.

Disbursement in 2020 was €93.5m which included the additional €50m disbursement for COVID-19 supports.

In 2021 disbursements stood at €52m.


The table below shows the flows into and out of the fund, and the impact of these flows on the closing balance.

It is important to note that the closing balance includes a reserve set aside by the NTMA for repaying rightful owners their funds.

As noted, this reserve fund current stands at €107m.

This reserve must be deducted from the closing balance in the fund to arrive at the amount of funds available for disbursement to measures.
Period / Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Opening Balance of Fund 258,983,869 271,122,091 289,807,631 294,727,600 244,120,105 Transferred to Fund 53,020,140 68,747,584 65,232,684 64,686,532 61,607,091 Reclaimed 24,371,153 21,538,306 22,607,536 21,540,756 22,810,611 Disbursements 15,652,737 27,821,643 37,371,953 93,435,124 51,695,120 Closing Balance 271,122,091 289,807,631 294,727,600 244,120,105 231,052,120 The table following outlines a projected sustainable level of funding for the next 11 years if current trends were to continue.
The “remaining funds to be disbursed” in this table does not include the reserve sum of €107m.

25 If projected net inflows continue with levels shown over the previous 5 years the fund could be sustainable if disbursements are gradually reduced to €40m by 2029.

The level of funding could be kept at €55 million per annum for 2023 and then reduced to €50m for the following 2 years and then €45m for 3 years before going to €40m in 2029.

This could ensure sustainability for the fund.


It must be emphasised that this projection of the sustainable level of disbursements from the fund is based only on the total available resources in the fund.

As previously noted the use of moneys is subject to the constraints of any other voted expenditure as its use adds to overall Government expenditure levels.

Therefore, this level of future funding may not be possible within these constraints.

Recommendation: 9.
Recommendation: 9.

If recent trends continue then the yearly drawdown should gradually reduce to €40m by 2029, so as to sustain the fund for the medium to long term.

However, this needs to be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
26 YearExpectedfundsremainingtobedisbursed ProjectedNetInflowProposedmaxapproval levelRemainingfundstobedisbursedfollowing Action 2022124,329,68540,000,00055,000,000109,329,6852023109,329,68540,000,00055,000,00094,329,685202494,329,68540,000,00050,000,00084,329,685202584,329,68540,000,00050,000,00074,329,685202574,329,68540,000,00045,000,00069,329,685202769,329,68540,000,00045,000,00064,329,685202864,329,68540,000,00045,000,00059,329,685202959,329,68540,000,00040,000,00059,329,685203059,329,68540,000,00040,000,00059,329,685203159,329,68540,000,00040,000,00059,329,685203259,329,68540,000,00040,000,00059,329,685 Section 5: Summary of the Recommendations: This section brings to together the recommendations made at the end of each section of this review.
These recommendations will inform the preparation of the next Disbursement Scheme, which will cover the period 2023-2025.

Progress with implementation of these recommendations will be considered on an ongoing basis by the Dormant Accounts Fund Interdepartmental Group.

DAF Disbursement Scheme 2020-2022 Review Recommendations 1.
The implementation of reforms has been effective and there needs to be a continued focus on areas including the appropriate administration of the fund, meeting legislative requirements and ensuring effective interdepartmental engagement and knowledge sharing.

Such actions have greatly improved the use of the fund and that focus needs to be maintained in future years so as to continue this success.

2.
2.

There needs to be a continued focus on ensuring timely drawdown of funds from the NTMA, both to facilitate NTMA management of the fund, and to ensure DRCD can maintain an accurate picture of the overall value and liabilities on the fund.

3.
3.

While the research into potential additional sources of dormant funds has been completed, as recommended in the previous review, further work is now required to explore whether it is feasible to utilise a small number of asset types viewed as having such potential in that work.

4.

There is also a need for a continued focus on raising awareness of the fund and ensuring that beneficiaries clearly communicate the fact they have received funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

5.
5.

Likewise, there is also a need to continue the focus on ensuring that existing and new measures facilitate funding reaching community and local groups which deliver services to disadvantaged groups and persons with a disability.

6.

The simplified disbursement scheme has enabled a better engagement with the fund and drawdown of funds across Government.

This simplified structure should therefore be maintained for the next scheme.

7.
7.

The measures approved have achieved a good balance across the different objectives, however, a further focus on how more measures could include some aspect of support for persons with a disability could be warranted.

8.

There is a need for continued focus on specific strategies, if they continue to be part of the next disbursement scheme and ensuring a flow of new projects and measuring the impact of schemes.

9.
9.

If recent trends continue then the yearly drawdown should gradually reduce to €40m by 2029, so as to sustain the fund for the medium to long term.

However, this needs to be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
27 Appendix 1: All DAF measures approved over the 2020-22 period DEPARTMENT MEASURES 2020-2022 PRIORITY AREAS AND TARGET GROUPS MET BY MEASURE LOCATION National Regional To assist programmes/projects designed to counter and /or social disadvantage Designed to address educationally disadvantaged To assist persons with a disability D/Rural & Community Dev Social Enterprise Measure D/Rural & Community Dev Seniors Alert Scheme D/Rural & Community Dev Supports for Volunteering D/Rural & Community Dev ICT for Older People D/Rural & Community Dev Targeted Social Inclusion Measure D/Rural & Community Dev Public Libraries- Reaching out to Disadvantaged, Socially excluded and Marginalised Communities D/Rural & Community Dev Pre-social Cohesion Project, Rathkeale, Co Limerick D/Rural & Community Dev Disadvantaged Community Enhancement Scheme x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 28 D/Rural & Community Dev D/Rural & Community Dev Participation and Engagement by marginalised and disadvantaged communities in the Local Economic and Community Planning (LECP) Process Rethink Ireland – formerly Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) D/Housing Transitioning Homelessness to Long-Term Housing D/Housing, Local Gov & Heritage D/Housing, Local Gov & Heritage D/Justice & Equality D/Justice & Equality Housing First – Transitioning people who have been long- term homeless into supported tenancies Traveller Accommodation – (1) tenancy capacity building and sustainment, (2) community building and mediation services and (3) Play area facilities in Traveller-specific accommodation Awareness raising of Domestic and Sexual Violence Measures to promote gender equality for Traveller Women D/Justice & Equality Traveller Employment Initiatives D/Justice & Equality Disability Awareness Initiative for Employers D/Justice & Equality Employability and Inclusion Programme for Migrants D/Justice & Equality Young Persons Probation Project - Capital Expenditure 29
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 29 DEPARTMENT MEASURES 2020-2022 PRIORITY AREAS AND TARGET GROUPS MET BY MEASURE LOCATION To assist programmes/projects designed to counter and /or social disadvantage Designed to address educationally disadvantaged To assist persons with a disability National Regional D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice Community Safety Pilot Projects Implementation of targeted crime prevention and harm- reduction measures in Drogheda Localisation of the message of the current national awareness campaign, which is being conducted under the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 Youth and Community Justice Services Irish Prisons: Community Based Health in Justice Probations Service : Social Enterprise Funding Kickstart Round Three: Expanded funding model Protecting Young People from Influence of adult crime networks Intimate Images Campaign Further Education & Training Consent Campaign x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 30 D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Justice D/Education Skills D/Education Skills D/Education Skills D/Education Skills D/Education Skills D/Education Skills D/Education D/Education Victims Rights Campaign Probations Service : Social Enterprise Funding Kickstart Round Four Protecting Young People from Influence of adult crime networks Adventure Sports Project WHAD We Have A Dream Glasnevin Cemetery Museum – School Education Programme Time to Count (a primary support programme by Business in the Community Ireland as part of their Schools’ Business Partnership initiative) Young Social Innovators The Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Programme CDETB Migrant integration Project (MIP) North East Inner City, City Connects Pilot Project Traveller and Roma education fund Traveller and Roma Learners Transitions 31 D/Education D/Employment and Social Protection
 Learners with SEN transitions pilot Supporting Employment and Education/Training Opportunities for Home Carers and Supporting Employment and Education/Training Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities x x x x x x x DEPARTMENT MEASURES 2020-2022 PRIORITY AREAS AND TARGET GROUPS MET BY MEASURE LOCATION To assist programmes/projects designed to counter and /or social disadvantage Designed to address educationally disadvantaged To assist persons with a disability National Regional D/Children & Youth Affairs Youth Employability Initiative D/Children & Youth Affairs Career Guidance and Employment Support for Children Detained in Oberstown Children Detention Campus D/Children & Youth Affairs Fóroige - Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring Programme D/Children & Youth Affairs Protecting Young People from the Influence of Adult Crime Networks in Ireland D/Children & Youth Affairs Promotion of the Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning and Care Settings D/Children & Youth Affairs In-Early-Learning-and-Care and In-School Therapy Demonstration Project D/Children & Youth Affairs Post Adoption Support and Therapy x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 32 D/Children & Youth Affairs What Works Initiative D/Children & Youth Affairs Family Resource Centre Programme and Wider Voluntary Partners D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Addressing Social Disadvantage (Community and Voluntary, FRC’s, Barnahaus D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Aftercare support for unaccompanied minor refugees Educational Champions for children in care D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Online Safety Programme – Safeguarding and protecting young people online D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Provision of Vocational Training Oberstown Children Detention Campus D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Youth Sector Equality and Inclusion Support
 Initiative D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Development of an online portal to Traveller culture collections D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth Care Support for Vulnerable in Society Oberstown Detention Campus Training Initiatives Traveller and/or Roma Community Initiatives 33 DEPARTMENT MEASURES 2020-2022 D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/ Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth D/Comm,Climate Action & Environment Youth and/or Family Initiatives Refugees Support Initiatives Babies and/or Young Children Initiatives Book Bag Initiative Angling for All (Inland Fisheries Ireland) D/Defence Sail Training Ireland D/Defence Dormant Accounts funding to Veterans Associations D/Transport, Tourism & Sport Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs (CSPAHs) D/Transport, Tourism & Sport National Sport Education and Training Hub PRIORITY AREAS AND TARGET GROUPS MET BY MEASURE LOCATION To assist programmes/projects designed to counter and /or social disadvantage Designed to address educationally disadvantaged To assist persons with a disability National Regional x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 34 D/Transport, Tourism & Sport D/Further, Higher Educ, Research, Innov and Science D/Further, Higher Educ, Research, Innov and Science Sports measures for disadvantaged communities to support the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) and the National Sports policy (NSP) Travellers in Higher Education Traveller and Roma in Higher Education D/Ent, Trade & Employment Balance for Better Business x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 35 Appendix 2: Funding decommitted from 2020-21 Decommitted Funding 2020 and 2021 Lead
 Department/Agency Decommitted Funding Year of Decommittal Description Action Plan(s) the Measure was originally included in 2,152,162 2020 Dementia Resource Centres and Outreach Project 2018 and 2019 Health Health Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Rural and Community Development Justice Justice Justice Justice Justice Justice Health Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Justice 9,500 2020 7,000 500,101 72,704 7,622 25,000 95,796 908,326 1,009,930 8,514 219,595 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2021 2021 Development of an Interactive Mobile App to Support Migrants in accessing Health Services Development of a PhoneApp for young people in State care Supports for Volunteers Seed Kick-Start Enterprise Social (transferred from IPS) Awareness Raising of Domestic and Sexual Violence Crime Victims Helpline Fund Anti-Human Trafficking Garda Youth Diversion Projects Protecting Children from Influence of Adult Crime Networks Physical activity programme for older people Post Adoption Support and Therapy 9,697 2021 Implementation of targeted crime prevention and harm-reduction measures in Drogheda Total Decommitted Funding €5,025,947 2018 2018 2019 2018 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2018 2018 2021 36 Prepared by the Department of Rural and Community Development gov.ie