Drawdown of funding
Once funding has been approved for a project by the Office of the Minister for Drugs (OMD) and a code has been assigned, drawdown of funding can begin. A channel of funding should be agreed locally. The channel of funding is the statutory department or agency that will act as the conduit for funding between the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the project promoter. Funding is approved by the NDST from January to December or on a pro-rata basis if the project start date is mid-year.
The project promoter, which is the group or body that operates the action/project, submits an RDTF1 form to the MRDTF for review. This form will provide information to the channel of funding and to the taskforce to enable them to determine if the project proposal is in line with MRDF plans and is in compliance with any conditions attached to the NDST recommendation. The RDTF1 is examined by the MRDTF before being signed by the Chairperson and coordinator on behalf of the MRDTF.
Once signed off by the MRDTF, the RDTF1 is sent by the MRDTF to the channel of funding. Based on this form, the channel of funding completes a OMD1 form and submits it to the OMD to draw down money from the National Drugs Strategy Budget in advance or on a recoupment basis.
The channel of funding releases the funding to the project promoter. The channel of funding may release funds on a staged basis to the project promoter - account will be taken of where there are significant start-up costs for a given project. The channel of funding agency is accountable for any expenditure and may have additional requirements.
For interim (continued) funding, the completed and approved RDTF1 form is sent to the OMD for final approval. If approved, the OMD will issue a letter of approval to the MRDTF and copied to the channel of funding informing them of continued funding for the project. The MRDTF then sends the RDTF1 to the channel of funding for the draw down of funds.
Supported by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs