Immigrants, the elderly, former offenders and young people in poor areas are among those who will benefit from a €24 million funding allocation by the Government from dormant bank accounts this year.
Some €11.5 million from the dormant accounts - those bank and post office accounts not used for at least 15 years - is to be allocated to priority projects in disadvantaged parts of the country.
These will be selected under the Rapid (revitalising areas by planning investment and development) initiative, designed to target Government expenditure in centres of disadvantage. Each of the 45 Rapid areas will be allocated an indicative budget of between €200,000 and €300,000.
A total of €7.5 million will be directed towards measures supporting youth disadvantage, the elderly and other "priority themes" such as help for immigrant families, former offenders, suicide prevention (particularly men under 35) and alcohol abuse.
Contributions to youth disadvantage projects - to be administered mainly through VECs - will include small-scale equipment grants to youth groups and aid for information technology training.
Funding will also be given to community groups providing services for the elderly, the priority being to enable the elderly to stay in their communities and cut demand for residential care.
A further €5 million of the dormant account funding this year will go towards "once-off" projects of public concern and will be partly funded by community and private organisations.
According to Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Noel Ahern, this funding - separate from existing expenditure from statutory sources - will be aimed at those most in need.
"This funding is additional and will be directed in a targeted manner to ensure that it adds value rather than duplicates existing spending," he said.
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said he would bring proposals to Government soon on further dormant account funding under the educational disadvantage and disability categories.
The dormant account fund was originally controlled by a disbursements board established in 2001 but, under an amendment act that came into effect last September, control has passed back to the Cabinet. This led the Labour Party to accuse the Government of operating a "political slush fund".
Labour Party spokesman on community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs Brian O'Shea said the Government must not use dormant accounts for political ends.
The total value of the dormant accounts fund stands at €205 million, with €48 million allocated but not disbursed. The last round of funding saw €60 million allocated to 521 projects. Groups interested in funding should apply to State agency Pobal.