Thirteen voluntary projects have been awarded funding of almost €1 million to help them provide advocacy services to people with a disability.
Each group will receive €70,000 from the state-funded information service Comhairle.
The funding will assist each of the organisations to employ an advocate to work with a range of people with disabilities. The advocates will represent, for example, people with dementia, people who wish to move into independent living, people in long-term residential services and young people with learning disabilities completing education or training.
They will also assist people with mental health difficulties leaving hospital so that they can be supported in making the transition back into their communities, Comhairle said.
Comhairle said the funding was being provided in the context of the Disability Act 2005 and in preparation for changes to the law that will introduce a personal advocacy service for people with disability.
Chief executive of Comhairle Leonie Lunny said: "Many people with disabilities are well equipped to make their own decisions, given the requisite information and advice; some may be well placed to act as advocates themselves.
"However, some people with disabilities are at a disadvantage when claiming their entitlements or making important decisions. Advocacy can provide these more vulnerable people with the support necessary to make their own decisions and choices or deal with official processes."
Among the 13 projects that will receive funding are the Alzheimer Society of Ireland; the Bray Partnership and the Bray Disability Cluster Group; Carlow Centre for Independent Living in conjunction with Kilkenny, Wexford, Gorey, Waterford and South Tipperary Centres for Independent Living; and Roscommon County Citizens Information Services.