Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has encouraged eligible Louth projects and organisations to apply to the next iteration of the Disability and Participation Awareness Fund, designed to support people with disabilities to participate in community life.

The fund will help to promote disability awareness and training in local communities, increase participation among disabled people in social, cultural, arts and sporting activities and support pathways for young people with disabilities in transitioning through education.

Senator McGreehan said: “This fund, launched by my party colleague Minister Rabbitte, will support organisations working with or involving people with disabilities so I am encouraging any local project or organisation that focuses on this through the strands identified in the criteria to apply.

“The first strand focuses on projects and organisations that improve and encourage the accessibility of, and participation in, community life for persons with disabilities, the second on projects and organisations that initiate disability awareness capacity building and training at the local level in communities and the third on promoting innovation in supports and pathways for teenagers transitioning from secondary school through the use of innovative and meaningful services, products or programmes.

“Funding of €50,000-€200,000 is available for projects and organisations. Fianna Fáil in Government is committed to promoting disability awareness among citizens, supporting disabled people to get involved in a range of different community activities, and helping young people to transition through their education.”

Rethink Ireland will operate the fund on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Applying organisations can make an application under the different strands through the Rethink Ireland website.