POBAL

Pobal is a national public-sector organisation dedicated to building an equal and inclusive society in partnership with the Government and local communities. By managing funding and delivering support for 38 programmes across Social Inclusion and Employment, as well as Early Learning and Care, Pobal distributed €1.316 billion to community-based organisations and service providers in 2024, helping to address disadvantage at both local and national levels.

Key services include the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which offers a structured framework of supports, and the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) 2026-2029, a fresh funding call for national bodies. Pobal also provides robust research and analysis, generating evidence on social inclusion to inform policy, shape national debate and guide data-driven decisions. Its Early Learning and Childcare Data portal supplies comprehensive dashboards for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, while policy submissions and strategic insights further influence government action.

Operating across Ireland, Pobal works closely with a wide network of community groups, charities and public bodies, ensuring that resources are targeted effectively and that the voices of marginalised communities are heard.