About €187 million has gone from the Dormant Accounts Fund towards projects that tackle disadvantage since the fund was established in 2003.

The figure was revealed yesterday during the launch of a new booklet that highlights some of the social, economic and cultural gains achieved from money that had been left in banks, building societies, post offices or on insurance policies for at least 15 years.

Of the €187 million, more than €63 million was allocated during 2003 and 2005. More than 520 projects were approved by the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Board in that period.

Among the groups that benefited from the money was the Cherry Orchard Pony Club in west Dublin which received €297,400 for its youth work programme.

The Caring Peninsula Project in southwest Cork got €327,000 for its role supporting older people living in isolation, while Saol, an inner city Dublin organisation that provides a response to cocaine addiction and suicide prevention, received €105,000

Since the fund was launched in 2003, thousands of projects have been awarded money. A key feature of the funding is that distributions are for purposes that are additional to - and not a substitute for - Government funding.