Better Ireland programme seeks applicants

Children’s projects in the Dublin 15 area are being actively encouraged to apply for funding under the AIB Better Ireland programme. Not-for-profit organisations that help “enhance the lives of children” under certain category headings have until the end of February to submit their application forms for a chance to win €10,000.

A prize fund of €10,000 is specifically committed to local projects through the AIB branch at Westend beside the Blanchardstown Centre.

Groups must be working with children that suffer deprivation through physical or sensory disabilities; intellectual or general learning disabilities; drug or alcohol abuse; homelessness; or lack of access to mainstream education due to poverty. Eligible groups must apply online at www.aib.ie/betterireland on or before 29th February.

The applicants will then be judged as to their merit and a shortlist of three will be drawn up. As is the craze nowadays, these three will then face the public vote during May, when the public will be encouraged to text their favourite.

Each winning group will receive the prize money of €10,000 plus the proceeds of their text vote in July 2008. The two runners-up will also receive the proceeds of their text vote. Each text vote will cost 60c, which, after the VAT and operator charges, will go directly to the groups.

The Better Ireland Programme was launched in 2001 to help make a difference to the lives of children affected by three of the leading causes of vulnerability: drugs & alcohol abuse, lack of children’s education through poverty and homelessness. To date a total of €16 million has been donated regularly to over 1,600 groups since the programme began in 2001. As part of this programme a flagship project Schoolmate was awarded an investment of €8.6m.

“This year’s programme has been expanded to include children with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and we are inviting our customers and local communities to have a say in who they want us to support,” said Ken Burke, AIB Regional Director. “Local nomination, local voting and local benefit are what the new AIB Better Ireland Programme is all about.”

These sentiments were echoed by Mary Hanafin, T.D., Minister for Education and Science. “Encouraging people to help vulnerable children within their own community has been at the heart of the AIB Better Ireland Programme, for the last six years,” she declared. “By working in partnership with local organisations thousands of children have benefited. This year the particular focus is on targeting those most at risk either through disadvantage or special needs. By working in tandem with Government and community organisations, we can make a real difference to the lives of so many within our local communities,” she said.

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