Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme

Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme

“Transport Only”- Funding Supports - 2017

SITT ( trading as Local Link Donegal and funded by the National Transport Authority has allocated a small grant to Donegal Local Development Company CLG in support of community groups seeking “transport only supports” for social inclusion activities

Please note that groups that wish to be considered for support through the fund, can submit a written request for support by completing and returning the attached, “Form 1 – LCG Transport Support Request.”

Care should be taken to select a transport (bus) operator, from the SITT approved transport operator list attached, “Form 2 - SITT Approved Transport (Bus) Operator List.”

Before submitting a request, please read and refer to the eligibility guidance note and specific conditions which will attach to any offer, outlined in “Form 3 - Eligibility & Specific Conditions of Offer.” Please note specifically that any offer will depend upon:

a). A clear fit between the journeys planned and the eligibility criteria for the fund.

b). A clear statement of need by the group as part of the request submitted

c). Transport requested completing on or before 31stOctober 2017.

If you need any advice or guidance in relation to submitting a request for support, please contact a DLDC Project Officer and they will be happy to advise and assist you in relation to the SITT/NTA fund.

Please do not organise or arrange any transport with operators prior to receiving a “letter of offer’” from Donegal Local DevelopmentCLG as transport which has not been approved in writing, will not be supported or paid for through the fund.

Form 1 –Community Group - Transport Support Request – 2017

Form 3 - Eligibility & Specific Conditions of Offer

Please note that the following conditions apply in respect of our administration of the 2017 SITT allocated grant. These conditions apply in respect of all groups seeking “transport only” supports.

Eligible Activities:

• Groups funded for Community Transport Services must aim to undertake activities with clearly identifiable social inclusion objectives and intended impacts/outcomes.
• Groups should provide a clear statement when submitting their request of why the transport support is needed and how it cannot be provided through alternative funding sources i.e. through members own funds, other organisations or agencies.
• Priority will be given to groups, where transport support is currently not already being resourced under the SICAP Programme.
• Requests will be assessed on a case by case basis against specific criteria.
• Reasonableness will apply in ensuring a fair allocation of the funds in the case of groups requesting support for more than one return journey.
• Funding will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Eligible Date(s) for Transport:

• A condition of any grant offer will be that all support transport journeys will complete before 31st October 2017.

Group Transport Needs / Requirements:

• Groups seeking transport support should complete and return the attached “Form 1” clearly outlining / detailing their transport support needs.

SITT Approved Bus Operators List:

• Only transport being provided by SITT approved operators will be considered for funding support and an operator should be selected from the attached list “Form 2.”
• Requests should be based on a verbal quotation(s) from the selected operator.

Letter of Offer:

• Groups will be notified in advance by way of a “letter of offer,” of any transport being supported by DLDC being provided through the SITT allocated funds.
• Do not book any transport until a letter of offer has been received.

Protection of Children or Vulnerable Adults:

• Groups that are providing transport or activities for children or vulnerable adults will be asked to confirm in writing, that adequate supervision is in place for any supported journeys. This document will be issued with the letter of offer.

Cost of Journey and Payments:

• A written quotation should be obtained from the transport operator, in respect of the transport (journeys) being supported.
• Payments for supported journeys will be paid by Donegal Local Development CLG to the transport operator based on the submission of a valid invoice.
• DLDC will pay the transport operator 100% of the cost (full-cost) by way of cheque or electronic funds transfer.

Passenger Log:

• A passenger log needs to be completed and submitted to DLDC for every journey being supported. This document will be issued with the letter of offer.
• The name and lead contact person in the community group must be identified on the log.
• The group will be contacted after the supported trips for an impact statement in relation to the supports received.