Publication
Community, Voluntary and Social Enterprise response to COVID - 19
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Rural and Community Development plays a crucial role in providing vital supports to communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with partners and agencies, working locally, supports have been put in place to help vulnerable people.
The LEADER Rural Development programme is continuing to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Rural and Community Development and Local Action Groups are processing LEADER grant payments on a weekly basis. This ensures that much needed funding can reach rural communities and businesses during this difficult time.
The programme is accepting applications. All Local Action Groups and Implementing Partners across the country are still operating within their communities and delivering on the LEADER Programme. To apply for funding contact your Local Action Group. An interactive map of LAGs is available on the National Rural Network website.
In response to the pandemic, systems were put in place to allow people to join the library online without having to physically visit. This resulted in an upsurge in online members with over 30,000 new members joining the library in March 2020 compared to just over 17,000 in March 2019. DRCD provided €400,000 to meet the increased demand.
These are all completely free of charge.
Online library resources have provided much needed support during the pandemic.
The Local Development Companies (LDCs) have strong connections in their communities. They have responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic. LDCs will continue to support their 170,000 service users, and their communities, throughout the pandemic.
The 49 LDCs have an important role in COVID-19 Community Call Response .
Each LDC supports the Community Call initiative locally, as appropriate. They receive phone calls daily with COVID–specific requests for support.
LDCs now provide supports for:
Contact your Local Development Company directly to avail of supports.
The Public Participation Network (PPN) is a network of community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental groups in each local authority area. The PPN is the main way that local authorities connect with groups active in their area. PPNs are currently playing a central role in the community response to the COVID-19 emergency and have reported a number of successful initiatives.
| No. of new Participants (November) | 1,597 |
The Seniors Alert Scheme is operated by Pobal on behalf of the department. The scheme provides personal monitored alarms for vulnerable older people in our communities. This can enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
The monitoring companies are referring participants to the ALONE Befriending Service . This service is being offered when a participant contacts the monitoring company. The participant will either be provided with ALONE’s number or the participant's contact details will be passed to ALONE, with their permission.
In addition to normal installations, a system of simple self-installation has been developed to maintain social distancing and safety of users and installers.
Social Enterprises are businesses whose core objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises trade in goods or services on an ongoing basis. However, any surpluses they generate are re-invested into achieving a social impact. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic Social Enterprises have significantly stepped up and diversified their activities to adapt to local needs, playing a crucial part in the ‘Community Call’ initiative that linked local and national government with community and voluntary sectors. Many social enterprises that were required to close continued to operate behind closed doors providing much needed services for their customers. There are many great examples of social enterprises playing their part in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, examples include the production of PPE equipment for the HSE, the provision of meals-on-wheels services, and the provision of online services to vulnerable groups.
| No. of registered Volunteers involved | 26,529 |
| No. of hours volunteered | 103,794 |
Volunteer Centres are the first port of call for organisations or individuals looking to volunteer. They have provided much needed support to the Community Call.
Volunteer Centres offer a recruitment and placement service for volunteers. They work with community and voluntary organisations. They provide support and training to not for profits on all aspects of volunteer management.
For information on how you can volunteer, please see here .