Social projects to receive €24m from dormant accounts

The Government has announced plans to distribute €24m from dormant Irish bank accounts to a number of social projects throughout the country.

The money is being dispersed as part of a scheme allowing the State to take control of money held in bank accounts that have been untouched for 15 years.

Community Affairs Minister Eamon O Cuiv said €18m of the money allocated today would be spent in areas designated by the Government as "most disadvantaged".

€11m is being allocated to the RAPID programme for poorer urban areas, while other funding will go to suicide prevention schemes, alcohol abuse initiatives and projects to support immigrant families.