4285. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when decisions will issue to applicants under the Scheme to Support National Organisations for the period 2026 to 2029; the number of applications received; the total value of funding sought; the total funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58128/26]

The Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national community and voluntary organisations delivering services and supports with a focus on one or more of the following: addressing poverty, social exclusion and promoting equality. The SSNO provides part funding for salary costs of a core member(s) of staff in the national organisation and non-salary costs that are directly attributable to the SSNO-funded post.

On the 25 June, I announced funding of €27.8 million to be provided over next three and a half years to 92 national community and voluntary organisations, under a new round of the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). The scheme will run until the end of 2029.

At almost €8 million per year, the funding for this scheme has increased by almost €1 million per annum compared to the previous iteration. This new round also sees an increase in the number of organisations funded, with 92 organisations allocated funding, compared to 82 organisations awarded funding under the 2022-2026 SSNO.

This was a highly competitive process with 210 applications received. The total amount applied for was approximately €61.7 million. The funding awarded will benefit organisations who operate across a wide variety of areas in the community and voluntary sector, including health, disability, homelessness, children and young persons, older persons, equality and social inclusion sectors, amongst others.

The full list of organisations allocated funding under the 2026-2029 scheme can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/ssno-funding-allocations/