The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability.
The principles underlying the allocation of funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund and the strategic objectives to be pursued by measures nominated for funding by Government Departments are set out in three-year Disbursement Schemes. The most recent Disbursement Scheme, covering the period 2017-2019 inclusive, was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in May 2017.
This month my Department commenced a full review of the Disbursement Scheme 2013-2016. This review, which will be completed by the end of June 2018, will set out to improve the administrative procedures governing Dormant Accounts funding to maximise the effectiveness with which funds are distributed in order to better support the people and communities at whom the funding is aimed.
The review will involve extensive engagement with other Government Departments who run programmes under the Dormant Accounts Fund, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the National Treasury Management Agency and other relevant stakeholders, including community representatives.
The findings of the review will inform future Dormant Account Disbursement Schemes and future Dormant Account Action Plans.