The Transgender Equality Network Ireland and Belong To Youth Services are among the 169 recipients of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grant awards in 2025, with one TD saying he’d question the “continued automatic funding” of certain organisations just because they align with “current trends or ideologies”.
TENI and Belong To are set to receive €15,000 and €40,000 respectively, despite both organisations having been the subjects of significant controversy in the past.
TENI said that it was “over the moon” to share that it had been selected as one of the grant recipients this year.
Commenting on the decision to award both organisations Toy Show Appeal money, Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn said that “it’s entirely reasonable for members of the public to raise questions when taxpayer or publicly raised funds are directed to organisations that have been the subject of significant public debate or controversy”.
“I’ve said before — and I stand by it — that I believe there are two biological sexes, with intersex as a rare and medically defined exception. That view is grounded in science and common sense, and it’s one shared by many people in this country. At the same time, I’ve always advocated that we treat people who are struggling with their identity with dignity, respect and compassion. We can be both truthful and kind — those two things are not in conflict.
“What I would question, however, is the continued automatic funding of certain organisations simply because they align with current trends or ideologies. It’s important that we scrutinise where money is going, particularly when it comes from generous donations made by the Irish public, often intended for vulnerable children,” the Cork TD said, adding that the grants should prioritise services that are providing “direct, measurable support to children and families in crisis — especially those facing poverty, homelessness, or serious illness”.
Asked by Gript about the suitability of including organisations like TENI and Belong To among the recipients of the Toy Show Appeal grants, a spokesperson for RTÉ said that the Appeal continues to have a “positive impact on the lives of children right across the country in a variety of ways” and that it’s possible because of the “remarkable generosity of RTÉ viewers of the Late Late Toy Show”.
“This week RTÉ and Community Foundation Ireland announced that there are 169 recipients of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grant awards in 2025. This follows an open application grant process managed on RTÉ’s behalf by Community Foundation Ireland, who have over 25 years experience in grant assessment and grant making. The criteria for grants is published in advance, and only registered charities are eligible to apply. Thereafter a rigorous process of evaluation is undertaken, which includes final review by an expert Children’s Advisory Panel who independently assess all grants.
“The list of all successful grantees is published each year for public transparency and grants address a wide range of issues facing children and teenagers across the island of Ireland,” the spokesperson said.