Written Answers. - Community Services Projects.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:
316
Mrs. T. Ahearn
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the pilot community services projects funded by his Department; the nature of the projects; the number employed in this regard; the number of people receiving a service from the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26494/98]
My Department provides funding for six pilot community projects. These comprise four community services projects operating in Cork, Tallaght-Clondalkin, Caherciveen and Ennis and two community action plans to be piloted in Meath and in South Mayo.
The pilot community services projects in Cork, Tallaght-Clondalkin and Cahirciveen are funded by the Department through Area Development Management Ltd. who oversee their function and the project in Ennis is funded directly by the Department. The latter project is being operated under the aegis of the Disabled People of Clare. Funding of £120,000 was made available by the Department in 1997 for the four pilot community services projects and £160,000 is being made available this year to fund the projects. These amounts include a sum of £30,000 which was paid to Area Development Management Ltd. in each of the years 1997 and 1998 for the employment of a project co-ordinator.
The main aims of the projects are two-fold: to facilitate access at a local level by people with disabilities, including those living in residential settings, to all information, to include details of the range of services available, in appropriate formats, on the issues affecting their lives; to facilitate the active participation by people with disabilities in local area partnerships and enable them to be involved in the decision-making process and play an active part in the life of their community.
One project worker is employed in each of the projects with the exception of Tallaght-Clondalakin where two project workers are employed on a job-sharing basis.
The projects are still at the development stage. It is envisaged that the upcoming year will see an increased level of participation by people with disabilities, their families and carers in the work of the projects.
With regard to the pilot community action plans, the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities recommended that community action plans be drawn up to facilitate cross-sectoral planning at local level for the delivery of services to people with disabilities. In this regard, I am pleased to say that we have recently provided £45,000 in funding for the two pilot community action plans which will focus on transport. The plans will be piloted in Meath and South Mayo and it is intended that they will develop models of good practice which can be replicated in other areas of the country.
