O.N.E. and Civil Defence to benefit from €650k Dormant Account Fund

Three projects under the aegis of the Department of Defence are to benefit from the provision of €650,000 from the Dormant Account Fund.

The announcement was made this morning by the Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, T.D.

The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) to former members of the Defence Forces are to receive €200,000 towards the provision of its services while Sail Training Ireland will receive €50,000 under the Action Plan in 2023.

The Civil Defence is to be allocated €400,000 to upgrade vehicles in the Civil Defence fleet.

In welcoming the funding, Minister Coveney said: “I recognise the important public service that has been given to the State by Civil Defence and by retired members of the Defence Forces and it was in this context that I sought additional funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan.”

Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel
The Minister also acknowledged the projects that have already been facilitated by Dormant Accounts funding, including IUNVA’s National Museum which was officially opened in September 2021, and O.N.E.’s Veterans Support Centre and hostel in Cobh, Co. Cork, which was officially opened by the Minister in October 2021.

Colm Campbell, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of O.N.E., warmly welcomed the announcement of the funding and stated that it will be used to expand and further develop O.N.E.’s homes for homeless veterans.

Civil Defence Fleet
Welcoming the allocation for the upgrade of the Civil Defence fleet, Minister Coveney said: “The main purpose of these vehicles would be to assist in severe weather events and missing person searches. However this allocation also acknowledges the outstanding commitment Civil Defence volunteers gave throughout the Covid-19 crisis and more recently in assisting the effort to accommodate Ukrainian people seeking refuge in Ireland.” Since March of this year volunteers across the country have undertaken many taskings including setting up and operating temporary rest centres and transporting Ukrainians to and from their accommodation and to meetings for school registration, medical appointments etc.

Sail Training Ireland
For many years the State operated a national sail training scheme through Coiste an Asgard. This scheme was wound up following the loss of the national sail training vessel the Asgard II in 2008. Sail Training Ireland is an organisation which was established by some of those previously involved with the Asgard. Sail training is really about personal development and not just about learning to sail. The government has agreed to provide some funding to Sail Training Ireland to allow young people from disadvantaged backgrounds participate in sail training. Provision of this money from the Dormant Accounts Fund will be subject to compliance with a Performance Delivery Agreement.

Minister Coveney said: “My officials and I have seen first-hand the valuable projects that previous funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund has facilitated. These additional funds will help to facilitate further such projects that will ultimately make a valuable difference to people’s lives.”

The Minister concluded by offering his thanks to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D., and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien, T.D. The Department of Rural and Community Development oversees the administrative framework within which Departments may apply for funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.