Joe O'Brien - Green Party
Minister Joe O’Brien announces launch of €3 million Pilot Bike and E-Bike Upcycling Initiative
28th April, 2021
Minister Joe O’Brien (Green Party)
Fingal
28th April 2021
Minister Joe O’Brien announces launch of €3 million Pilot Bike and E-Bike Upcycling Initiative
Scheme will provide vital transport to those on limited incomes in Fingal
Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD have today (28th April 2021) announced the launch of a three-year pilot initiative for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged.
Funding of €3 million is being provided by the Department of Transport for this initiative over a three-year period and will be made available through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Services Programme.
Announcing the scheme Minister O’Brien said:
“This scheme will provide a vital transport option to those on limited incomes. In addition, this scheme will also provide training and employment opportunities for those who may have had difficulty accessing the mainstream labour market. An associated benefit of the scheme will be a reduction in the number of bikes going to landfill as a result of recycling and reusing bikes through the social enterprises engaged on the scheme.”
Minister Ryan, whose Department will provide the funding for this initiative, said:
“I am delighted to provide €3m to fund this Pilot Bike Initiative. It’s an innovative idea that makes economic, environmental and social sense.”
“This is an important step towards fulfilling the commitment in the Programme for Government to widen the scope of the Bike to Work Scheme.”
Applications are now being sought from eligible organisations for inclusion on this programme. Organisations eligible to apply are those currently supported under the Community Services Programme or alternatively are in a Partnership/Consortium of which at least one member is currently a CSP supported organisation. It is envisaged that the pilot will support up to 6 social enterprises in 2021.
Minister O’Brien concluded:
“This exciting new pilot initiative is a significant step forward towards fulfilling yet another commitment in the Programme for Government. I am looking forward to reviewing the impact of this innovative scheme over the next three years.”
Full details of the scheme and the necessary application form will be available shortly. Proposals should be submitted to csp@drcd.gov.ie using the application form by noon, 28th May 2021.
Any queries in connection with this Call for Proposals process can be emailed to csp@drcd.gov.ie
Ends
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The CSP currently supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, providing a contribution towards the cost of staff in CSP organisations. It typically supports organisations to meet local service gaps and provide access to services and facilities that would otherwise generally be unavailable.
Details of CSP supported organisations
Full details of CSP supported organisations and contact details are available at Pobal’s website HERE.