About DESSA

Background

DESSA is a national organisation, funded by the Family Support Agency, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Citizens Information Board, to develop and deliver social inclusion initiatives to people with disabilities and their families.

Programmes

DESSA mainly operates within two government programmes: The Local and Community Development Programme and the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme.  These programmes are funded by government departments to address poverty, social exclusion and equality issues in both rural and urban areas throughout Ireland and comprise a network of approximately 250 community-based projects.  The main aim of these programmes is to empower and create opportunities for groups and individuals experiencing social exclusion to enhance their capacity to play a role in creating change in their communities and in society at large.

Support Agencies

In addition to the local projects there are thirteen Regional Support Agencies and five Specialist Support Agencies. The role of the Regional and Specialist Support Agencies is to provide technical assistance, specialist inputs, information and general support to the local projects. The projects and support agencies all have an anti poverty focus and work from community development principles with the aim of supporting local people to bring about social change in order to create a more equal and just society.

 

Funding

The Citizens Information Board funds DESSA’s Community Advocacy Project in the south east region. The aim of this project is to deliver advocacy supports to disabled people through local Family Resource Centres.