Voluntary housing bodies are to benefit from increased funding following the announcement of a €1.6 million grant by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal Noel Ahern.
The allocation represents a 4 per cent increase on last year's funding, with the Irish Council for Social Housing due to receive the most substantial amount totalling €410,000. The National Association of Building Co-Operatives is to receive €195,000, followed by Threshold €350,000, Focus Ireland €103,000 and Rural Resettlement Ireland €135,000.
Other voluntary housing bodies such as the Simon Community, Safe Home Programme and Saint Vincent de Paul are to receive in the region of €60,000.
Under the increased allocations which are to aid administrative and general expenses, organisations such as the Cara Housing Association, City Housing Initiative, Habitat for Humanity, Sonas Housing Association and North and East Housing are to benefit from funds of between €27,00 and €46,000.
Smaller grants are to be directed to Circle Voluntary Housing Association, Cope, Bawnmore Housing Association and Inis Housing Association.