The Government is putting €10 million to match philanthropic donations from wealthy individuals, groups or communities who wish to fund projects to benefit the wider community.
The announcement was made today as Ministers alloctaed the latest €36 million tranche of funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund, unclaimed money in accounts in the State's financial institutions.
Minister of State Noel Ahern
Up to €10 million will be made available for what the Government termed "flagship" projects across three broad areas, that attract significant private philanthropic or community-based funding.
Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Noel Ahern said there was a widely held believe that as individual wealth increases as a result of Ireland's economic success, that philanthropy has a bigger part to play in addressing inequalities than heretofore.
"The intention of this element of this year's funding round is to encourage the good work already in train by some individuals, to encourage more such activity and indeed to proffer support to communities who fundraise for themselves. Details of how applications can be made under this category will be announced shortly," he said.
Mr Ahern said Irish people were "great" at supporting charities on an individual basis, but on the "corporate side" of philanthropy, we were traditionally very poor.
"Some people have done very well in the last 15 years and there's a belief that a lot of people who have made money wish to get involved and cooperate with the State."
"We will be advertising this in the coming weeks and we want to see what comes forward. It is a genuine feeling that with the wealth that has been created that some people want to do a bit for society and for the common good and particularly for areas of disadvantage. We want to see what comes forward and we have earmarked €10 million for that."
However, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney said the fact that someone comes forward to offer a donation does not mean the Government must provide matching funding if it was not an objective to provide such a service in the first place.
On the question of a proposed donation by entrepreneur Noel Smyth for a new National Children's Hospital, Ms Harney said she understood he was still open to making a contribution. But she said there was no question of donors being allowed to dictate the public policy objectives of Government.
Ms Harney said she had not spoken directly to Mr Smyth about the project for a while, but she understood he was still open to making a contribution to building the hospital on a not-for-profit basis. The Government would "very much welcome" any contribution, she said.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said the €18 million allocated to her Department from the Dormant Accounts Fund would enable schools to enhance their facilities, helping them to provide dining facilities, school meals, play areas, parents' rooms and libraries. The disadvantaged schools targeted by the scheme have already been identified and they will be invited to apply for funding.
About €100 million of a total of €373 million in the Dormant Funds Account has been allocated to date.
The Ministers rejected the suggestion that the fund was being used as a "slush fund" before the next election.
Mr Ahern said everything had been done in a very open and transparent way and that this requirement was laid down in the legislation.
Minister Eamon Ó Cuív said any charge the Government had been "recklessly spending this money is absolutely refuted by the figures" and that the target of around €30 million a year had been adhered to.