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Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes the United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Minister of State with responsibility for Social Inclusion, Joe O’Brien TD, has today welcomed the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The theme for 2022 is ‘Respecting the Dignity of all Humanity: End Persistent Poverty’.

To mark the day, Minister O’Brien recently approved funding for 16 initiatives to raise awareness of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The successful applicants cover a wide spectrum and include local community groups, charities and groups representing specific cohorts across Ireland. Projects are taking various forms, including workshops, community art exhibitions, promotional videos and photoshoots.

Anti-poverty organisations and groups were invited to apply for funding, up to a maximum of €3,000 per applicant, to organise local, regional or national activities to promote the day.

Speaking today, Minister O’Brien said:

“The United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an important reminder that many people, both internationally and in Ireland, continue to live in poverty. I wish to extend my thanks to the organisers of today’s event and to the groups that have arranged events and activities to highlight this important day. 

“As Minister of State with responsibility for social inclusion in the Department of Social Protection, I have a strong interest in addressing all forms of poverty.

“The Roadmap for Social Inclusion, for which I have responsibility, has the ambitious target to reduce the level of consistent poverty to 2% or less by 2025. While we have made good progress in recent years towards that target, it is essential to maintain momentum and focus across government and society in order to reach this goal.”

 

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Notes for Editors

Department of Social Protection UN Day funding initiative

Each year the Department of Social Protection provides grants, up to the maximum value of €3,000 per project, for proposals related to the UN Day and its specific theme is ‘Respecting the Dignity of all Humanity: End Persistent Poverty’.

Funding is provided for once-off initiatives with a national, regional or local focus that aim to:

  • create public awareness of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty;
  • create public awareness of poverty in Ireland;
  • involve people at risk of, or experiencing poverty; and
  • express solidarity with the fight to eradicate poverty globally

A broad range of activities, or combination of activities, is considered for funding.

The application process ran from July 22nd – August 19th and following a review of applications, funding was approved for 16 separate projects. A full list of approved projects, and their location, is set out below:

 

Applicant

Location of Project

All Together in Dignity (ATD) Fourth World – Ireland Ltd.

Dublin

Barnados Children’s Charity

Dublin/Limerick

Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living

Dublin

Citywise Education

Dublin

Disability Federation of Ireland

Dublin

Doras Buí

Dublin

Irish 17 October Committee

Dublin

Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership

Sligo

Lus Na Greine Family Resource Centre

Longford

Offaly Traveller Movement

Offaly

SAOL Project

Dublin

South Inner City Community Development Association

Dublin

St. Michael’s Family Resource Centre

Dublin

Tullamore Family Resource Centre

Offaly

Westport Family Resource Centre

Mayo

Yola Hedge School & Family Centre

Wexford

 

Roadmap for Social Inclusion

The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 is a whole of government strategy to “reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU.”  The Roadmap translates this ambition into 7 Goals underpinned by 66 unique commitments (actions) that will be taken to help deliver these goals.