Operating Safely Guidelines

On 15th September, 2020, the Government announced the Plan for Living with COVID-19. At all times the priority guiding the plan will be to keep our schools open, while keeping people safe and protecting the resilience of our economy and communities.

You can view the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 here .

Significant resources and public health guidance have been issued by Government, the HSE, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and others.

To help the community and voluntary sector this department and Pobal have prepared further guidance regarding operating safely.

• Information and Resources for Community and Voluntary Sector

The Department of Rural and Community Development plays a crucial role in providing vital supports to communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is supporting the following initiatives:

• Community, Voluntary and Social Enterprise response to COVID - 19
• The Community Call

The Department of Rural and Community Development has produced a number of leaflets to support community and voluntary groups

• COVID-19 Communication Pack for Communities

In May 2020 a €40 million package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises was launched.

• A €35 million COVID -19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprises which will provide a level of support to qualifying organisations who are most in need and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis. The list of successful applicants can be found here.
• A €5 million government commitment to a The Philanthropy ‘Innovate Together’ Fund which will focus on supporting responses to the COVID-19 crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges.

In addition to the measures which have been introduced by the Department of Rural and Community Development for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, the government has put in place a range of supports and guidance for businesses impacted by COVID-19. A downloadable guide to these supports and their eligibility criteria is available here.

Community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises may find some of these supports and/or advice to be of interest. Enquiries should be directed to the relevant contact points listed in the material.