Jackie Cahill TD Churches should be treated like any other institution when it comes to covid grants, said Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill.
Deputy Cahill told The Irish Catholic that Churches loss of income and expenses accrued as a result of lockdown should be taken into account.
“Like many other institutions, Churches’ sources of income have been greatly restricted,” said Mr Cahill.
“If you’re spending money providing a service, other organisations are able to avail of funds, so why should Churches be any different?”
Deputy Cahill believes that if Churches can show they have legitimate expenses from helping people through the covid crisis, they should have access to funding.
Deputy Cahill queried the availability of grant aid for Churches with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphries. Ms Humphries said her Department is providing assistance to organisations the Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund.
“This fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of Covid-19,” Ms Humphries explained.