Pobal
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 1992 |
| Preceding |
|
| Jurisdiction | Ireland |
| Headquarters | 31-36 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin, Ireland |
| Parent department | Department of Rural and Community Development |
| Website | Pobal website |
Pobal (English: Community) is a state-sponsored organisation in Ireland with responsibility for administering and managing government and EU funding aimed at supporting social inclusion and addressing social disadvantage in the country.[1][2][3][4][5][6] While the organisation is registered with the Charities Regulator, its charitable status was queried in 2018.[7][8]
Background and strategy
Pobal was established in 1992 by the Irish Government, in agreement with the European Commission, to manage an EU local development grant scheme.[9][10] Originally known as Area Development Management (ADM),[11] the organisation was renamed Pobal in 2005.[12] Pobal was not established under specific legislation, and is subject to Irish company law.[13]
The agency's activities and priorities are shaped by the context and policies laid out by government in several documents, including the Programme for Government – Government for National Recovery 2011-2016, the Action Plan for Jobs, the Action Plan for Rural Development, Project Ireland 2040 and Pathways to Work. Examples of the groups supported by government through Pobal include those who have been long-term unemployed, young people, farmers / fishermen, families,
Activities
Pobal allocated circa €765 million in funding in 2021, providing support for approximately 38 programmes across the country in the areas of social inclusion and equality, inclusive employment and enterprise, and early learning and care.[1] The group administers these programmes on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health/HSE, as well as the Department of Justice and a number of EU bodies. Pobal's lead department, the Department of Rural and Community Development conducts a Periodic Critical Review report of the organisation, the most recent of which was approved by Minister Heather Humphreys on 29 September 2021.[10]
Pobal Maps
Pobal holds a volume of data about the programmes they manage. To support governmental bodies as well as individuals in making use of this data, Pobal developed an interactive graphical information system called 'Pobal Maps'.[15] Pobal Maps is a free geographic information system (GIS) which provides a range of functions, allowing users to see where Pobal delivers funding to, as well as providing a way of accessing and using the Pobal HP Deprivation Index, details on childcare services, and a range of other funded services throughout the Republic of Ireland.[15]
Pobal HP Deprivation Index
The Pobal HP Deprivation Index, developed every 5 years with new data after each successive census of the country, is (according to the organisation) "Ireland’s most widely used social gradient metric".
The index is also used by the
Management
The board of directors, which is appointed by the Irish government,[13] is responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Pobal.[20] The board consists of a chairperson and fifteen other directors, all of whom work in a voluntary capacity receiving no fees or remuneration for the time spent in carrying out their duties.[20] Since September 2021, Rosarii Mannion has served as chairperson of the board.
The day-to-day management of the organisation is overseen by several paid roles, including a chief executive officer (CEO), deputy CEO and financial and other roles.[21] In 2018, the independent TD Mick Wallace questioned the salary of the then chief executive of the organisation.[22]
The organisation had 270 employees in 2009,
References
- ^ a b "Pobal - government supporting communities". Pobal.ie. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ "Funding". womensaid.ie. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- ^ "Pobal Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) 2022-2025 Opening Soon". fingalcommunityfacilitiesnetwork.ie. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- gov.ie. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- gov.ie. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
- IrishTimes.com. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- IrishTimes.com. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ISBN 9781136899898.
- ^ a b c "About Pobal". Pobal.ie. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ISBN 9780707002637.
- ^ "A Message from our Chairperson". pobal.ie. Pobal. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ OECD.org. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ "Deprivation gap widens between those from rich and poor backgrounds – report". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Research & Analysis". Pobal official website. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "HP Deprivation Index". trutzhaase.eu. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Pobal HP Deprivation Index". RTÉ. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ "Deprivation in Limerick's regeneration areas worse despite €300m investment process". Irish Examiner. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ "What are DEIS Schools?". Dublin City University. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Board of Directors". Pobal.ie. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Pobal - 2020 Annual Report & Annual Financial Statements" (PDF). Pobal.ie. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- IrishTimes.com. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- RTE.ie. RTÉ News. 5 February 2009.