Pobal works on behalf of Government to support communities and local agencies toward achieving social inclusion and development.

Pobal, formerly known as Area Development Management, was established in 1992 by the Irish Government in agreement with the European Commission to manage an EU Grant for local development.

The role of Pobal today is to provide management and support services to 38 programmes in the areas of Social Inclusion and Equality, Inclusive Employment and Enterprise, and Early Years and Young People. We administer these programmes on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of  Social Protection, as well as the Department of Health/HSE, the Department of Justice, and a number of EU bodies. Allocating circa €765 million in 2021

Our activities and priorities are shaped by the context and policies laid out in several reports, including but not limited to, the Programme for Government – Government for National Recovery 2011-2016, the Action Plan for Jobs, the Action Plan for Rural Development, Project Ireland 2040 and Pathways to Work.

We work in the areas of social inclusion, early childhood care and education, community development, peace and reconciliation, equality, labour market supports and education and training.

Some of the groups supported by Government through Pobal include the long term unemployed, young people, farmers / fishermen, families, Travellers, older people and ex-prisoners. We have formed alliances nationally and internationally including close working relationships with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Our work ranges from programme design to implementation support to financial administration and governance of funding allocations. We promote quality enhancement amongst local community based groups, develop programme and system management tools and work to ensure funded projects work within agreed guidelines

We also provide good practice case studies, evaluations, and demographic information that support Government Departments in making policy decisions. Tools such as Pobal Maps and the Pobal HP Deprivation Index are made freely available to allow policy makers and communities respond to needs identified by these sets of tools.

Pobal works on an all-island basis, with offices in Dublin, Monaghan, Sligo, Clifden, Letterkenny, Cork, Galway city, Limerick, Mullingar and Kilkenny, employing over 600 staff.

Vision

Our vision is To create an equal and inclusive society in partnership with Government and communities.

Mission

Our mission is to work with Government, partners and those delivering services to promote social inclusion and improve outcomes for all by providing high-quality programme supports and grant management services.