Background information

In September the Government announced the provision of €5 million to upskill and fund education and training opportunities for carers and people with disabilities. The funding is part of the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2020 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection.

A dormant account is an account with a credit institution that has had no customer-initiated transactions for 15 years. Money in dormant accounts is used to benefit the public, helping people who: are economically or socially disadvantaged by supplying opportunities for personal and social development, are educationally disadvantaged, or have a disability.

Funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund has been used for a number of years to support projects that promote training and supports for family carers. This funding has been extended again in 2020.

The Dormant Accounts Acts 2001-2012, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003, 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.

Content of measure

As part of the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) Action Plan for 2020, community and voluntary organisations who wish to support and improve the employment opportunities for Family Carers, including Young Carers and Persons with a Disability can apply for funding.

The purpose of this funding is to:

• Assist Family Carers and Young Carers to build and retain contact with the labour market (incl. self-employment opportunities) and training/educational opportunities.
• Assist young working age persons with a disability(s) to engage with the labour market (incl. self-employment opportunities) and training/educational opportunities.

Funding will be provided to the successful applicants from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022. This will facilitate a set-up month in December 2020, for example: commencement of staff recruitment and 18 months project activity.

There are three measures under which an organisation can apply:

• Measure 1: Access to employment, self-employment and training/education supports for family carers
• Measure 2: Initiatives to support and develop young carers
• Measure 3: Access to employment and self-employment for people with a disability

National organisations may apply for a grant ranging from €75,000 to €200,000. Local organisations may apply for a grant that ranges from €20,000 up to €50,000. For national organisations applying for both Measure 1 (family carers) and Measure 2 (young carers) the maximum grant paid is €200,000.

The revised measure expands the remit for whom funding can be given to. Prior to COVID-19 the dormant accounts fund was used for people with visual impairment and/or hearing loss. The funding can now be applied in respect of general disability, to ensure maximum effectiveness. The expanded remit was motivated by the pandemic but the use of the funds is not COVID-19-specific.

Use of measure

No information currently available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Other groups of workers Disabled workers	Other businesses	Disabled

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement

Views and reactions

No information

Sources

• 12 October 2020: Minister Humphreys announces €5 million in Dormant Accounts funding for carers and people with disabilities (www.gov.ie)
• 12 October 2020: Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) (www.pobal.ie)