John McGuinness
Question:341 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the grants available for the development of community centres; and the grants available towards the running costs of these centres. [5192/99]
Written Answers. - Community Development.
Funding is available from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs towards the cost of staffing and equipping of local resource centres which provide a focal point for community development activities in disadvantaged areas under the community development programme, family and community services resources centre programme and the annual once-off grants schemes. The community development programme, CDP, was established in 1990 in recognition of the role of community development in tackling poverty and disadvantage. The programme provides financial assistance to projects towards the staffing and equipping of local resource centres which provide a focal point for community development activities in an area and to other specialised community development projects and initiatives having a strategic importance.
The CDP is aimed at addressing all areas of poverty and disadvantage. Projects are concerned with the needs of women and children, those with disabilities, the homeless, lone parent families, the elderly, the unemployed, young people at risk, travellers and other disadvantaged groups. At present there are more than 100 projects participating in the programme or in the process of being set up. The level of funding available to individual projects varies from £40,000 to £61,000 subject to the specific circumstances and the needs of the project. The allocation for the programme in 1999 is almost £8 million, most of which is committed to existing projects.
Funding is also available towards the staffing and running costs of community resource centres under the family and community services resource centre programme. The aim of a family and community services resource centre is essentially to help combat disadvantage by improving the functioning of the family unit. Centres can provide special services for lone parent families, young mothers and others considered in need of extra support and can act as a first step to community participation and social inclusion for the most vulnerable and marginalised families. Centres funded under the programme generally receive an allocation of between £15,000 and £40,000 although this varies in the light of specific circumstances and needs. The family and community services resource centre programme has received an allocation of £2.13 million for 1999. There are currently 31 centres participating in the programme.
Community groups wishing to apply for inclusion in either of the above programmes can receive further information from, or make applications directly to, the voluntary and community services section of my Department. Small once-off grants may also be available under the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations to locally-based voluntary and community groups working with disadvantaged groups or in disadvantaged areas which operate from community centres towards the cost of equipment and renovations. The actual grants paid vary in the light of individual circumstances and needs and takes account of the overall demands that must be met. I might mention that funding for community centres which are primarily engaged in providing social and recreational activities is the responsibility of the local authorities.