Provision of Additional Funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund to the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA)
Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs, today (Friday 17th December 2021) welcomed the provision of an additional €200,000 of funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan towards the provision of services by 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. This funding is in addition to €300,000 previously secured for both organisations across the period 2020–2022.
In welcoming the funding, Minister Coveney said: “I recognise the important public service that has been given to the State 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.”
The Minister went on to acknowledge the projects that have already been facilitated by Dormant Accounts funding, including IUNVA’s National Museum which was officially opened, on his behalf, by Ms. Jacqui McCrum, Secretary General of the Department of Defence 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.
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 the lives of ex-service men and women.”
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.
Mr Colm Campbell, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of O.N.E., welcomed the announcement and indicated that the funds will be put towards supporting homeless veterans.
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Note for Editors
The Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provides a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. Under the legislation, a scheme was introduced to allow money in the Dormant Accounts Fund to be used by Government to fund programmes or projects which would assist the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged, the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged, or persons with a disability.