Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
209. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding allocated to NGOs by his Department in 2025; the funding allocated to NGOs by agencies and bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13093/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides direct funding to a number of voluntary / non-governmental organisations, who provide information and wider social research on social welfare services and social policy in Ireland.
The current recipients of funding and their funding allocation as per the 2025 Revised Estimates are outlined below.
Community Law and Mediation (CLM) - Funding allocation of €355,000 in 2025
The CLM funding is used as core funding for staff salaries to support CLM’s provision of legal information and advice, as well as education and mediation services, in disadvantaged communities in Dublin. More information on their work can be found on their website: communitylawandmediation.ie/
The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) - Funding Allocation of €260,000 in 2025
The INOU funding is used as core funding for staff salaries to support INOU's work with, and on behalf of, unemployed people, including development of the annual ‘Working for Work’ publication, and training and research on unemployed people’s experiences. More information on their work can be found on their website: www.inou.ie/information/
Vincentian MESL Research Centre (MESL) - Funding Allocation of €180,000 in 2025
My Department provides funds to the Vincentian MESL Research Centre, wholly and exclusively in support of the MESL research workplan. The MESL research plan provides for the maintenance and dissemination of ‘Minimum Essential Standard of Living’ social policy research, which is an important evidence-base which informs social policy development in Ireland. More information on their work can be found on their website: www.budgeting.ie/
Citizens Information Board (CIB) - Funding Allocation of €66.5m in 2025
My Department also funds the Citizens Information Board, the statutory body with responsibility for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy on a range of public services.
Whilst not an non-governmental organisation itself, CIB does in turn fund 22 independent companies to provide services on its behalf and these companies limited by guarantee (CLGs). The funding provided to these companies is outlined in CIB’s Annual Reports, available to view on its website at: www.citizensinformationboard.ie/en/about/annual_report/
