Some 240 charities and voluntary groups will benefit from grants from a special support programme set up by Dublin Bus, the company said today.
Now in its fourth year, the Dublin Bus Community Support Programme (CSP) makes awards to groups that help young people, people with disabilities, older people, education, the environment and sport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Successful applicants this year include the Little Sisters of the Poor; the Meningitis Trust; Pieta House, a suicide and self-harm prevention charity; and Leanbh, which works towards rescuing disadvantaged children from begging on the streets.
Celebrity patron of the CSP and Sunderland FC chairman Niall Quinn said: "Most local groups have small budgets, so the grants awarded by Dublin Bus play a crucial role in allowing them to continue doing their great work and I for one am proud to be associated the programme again this year."
To date, the programme has given grants to over 500 groups. Each successful group will be presented with their cheque by the Taoiseach at a ceremony in September.
