Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the completion of the grant application forms.

Please note that the deadline for applications was 5pm Thursday 9th June 2011.

1. What type of individuals can the funding for this initiative support?

   Persons with mental health difficulties and/or persons with disabilities (this includes intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities).

2. Why does the application require individuals' details?

   The applications examine how each individual person who participates in the initiative will benefit from it. This fund is intended to encourage the provision of person-centred, individualised supports and services, as the criteria indicate, rather than those aimed at groups. The aim of the grant is to achieve change in each individual’s life as opposed to change within a group setting. For this reason individuals’ details are required to illustrate the organisations’ fulfillment of this aspect of the grant criteria.

3. Can I submit an application without identifying the individual to be involved?

   It is expected that plans for the project for which you are seeking funding would be discussed and agreed with the individual (family member/carer or chosen advocate) for whom the project intends to support. It is difficult to envision why individuals would not want themselves to be identified as we will not share the names publicly. However, if there is a preference not to identify names please include initials instead.

   NOTE:

   With regards applications to Grant stream B: “Grants to support the development of alternative respite models”; as this type of service is relatively underdeveloped,  providing client names in advance of a service commencing, presents particular challenges for mental health services.

   In Genio we are very focused on person-centered care and on the inclusion of individuals and their families in the planning and development of services/care. We believe that applicants should engage clients/potential clients in planning proposals for submission to Genio in 2011 grant scheme

   In making applications the online process requires named individuals. Where specific individuals are not immediately identifiable a service may include either potential clients or those who have been consulted as part of the application.

   Details of actual clients will be required from successful applicants.

4. Can an organisation make multiple applications?

   Yes, if each application is for a different project.

5. What age profile is the grant open to?

   All age profiles.

6. Does our organisation have to be registered as a limited company in order to apply for the grant?

   Not necessarily. However, your organisation must have appropriate internal controls in place and be able to demonstrate compliance with tax and other relevant legislative requirements (e.g. employer obligations, health and safety etc). Genio reserves the right to request documentation to verify compliance and ensure that the organisation has appropriate insurances. Genio may also request financial reports and / or inspect the use of allocated funds during the period of the initiative. The organisation must be able to differentiate between the records for the initiative to which the grant applies and that of other activities of the organisation.

7. What is the minimum/maximum amount that an organisation can apply for?

   The fund will be divided equally between disability and mental health projects. There is no minimum amount. The maximum amount that can be applied for by one project is €800,000. However, this amount is unlikely to be issued to just one project unless it is a truly exceptional proposal. We envision receiving a large number of applications and will be in a position to issue grants to a small number of projects.

8. If an application is successful, when will the funding be allocated?

   We expect that applications deemed successful by the Genio Board of Trustees, to be approved for grants by July/August 2011. Subject to the submission of relevant paperwork and contracts, we expect initial grant allocations to be made in September 2011

9. Is there a restricted timeframe for starting the project if the application is approved?

   We expect organisations who have been approved for a grant to be in a position to drawdown their initial grant allocation by December 2011 at latest. The start date of the project is subject to discussion with the Genio Trust.

10. Can organisations apply on behalf of someone moving from a family/parents’ home into the community?

    This has not been excluded as a possibility. However, the focus of grant stream A is to move people with disabilities from institutional or congregate settings into more individualised settings within the community. Priority will be given to those applications which most closely align with the grant criteria.

11. Is it a requirement that the individual being supported is currently living in a residence of more than 4 people with a disability or mental health difficulty to qualify for this grant?

    This has not been excluded as a possibility. However, the focus of grant stream A is to move people with disabilities from institutional or congregate settings into more individualised settings within the community. Priority will be given to those applications which most closely align with the grant criteria.

12. Is there a minimum or maximum number of individuals who should be included in any one application?

    The minimum number of individuals to be included on an application is one. However, priority will be given to those applications which can support the move of a larger number of individuals to community alternatives leading to full or partial closure of an institution/congregate setting.

13. Can an organisation apply to enhance supports for individuals living in the community but who are at risk of returning to institutional care because the right supports were not initially put in place?

    This has not been excluded as a possibility. However, the focus of grant stream A is to move people with disabilities from institutional or congregate settings into more individualised settings within the community. Priority will be given to those applications which most closely align with the grant criteria.

14. An organisation has fundraising plans for 2011/12 in order to sustain the project beyond the life of the grant. Is this likely to mark poorly in the sustainability question?

    Yes, due to the lack of certainty and availability of funding, especially in the current economic climate, reliance on future fundraising to sustain the project would mark poorly. It is expected that primary funding would come from the re-configuration of existing resources.

15. The project the organisation is applying for requires the hiring of new/additional staff but it falls under the auspices of the HSE. Does the moratorium on recruitment preclude the organisation from qualifying?

    If the recruitment of staff is required, it is expected that the applicant will have taken into account any moratorium issues related to that organisation. Applicants are responsible for identifying alternatives such as redeployment of existing staff or collaboration with other agencies which operate outside the moratorium.

16. For the respite grant B, are there restrictions on the number of individuals who can be supported by one contract or host family?

    It is expected that contract and host family arrangements will create an environment as close to normal family life as possible for the individual being supported. For this reason, it is expected that no more than one individual will be supported at any one time by a contract or host family.

17. For the respite grant, are there guidelines or restrictions on the rate of pay for contract or host families?

    There are no current guidelines. However, the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the initiative are key criteria, while ensuring that no compromise is made in the quality of the support for the individual.

18. Who do I contact if I have any questions?

    Please phone 044 9385940 or email info@genio.ie.