Written Answers. - Community Development.
David Stanton
Question:
356
Mr. Stanto n
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the regional support agency which has responsibility for setting up new projects in the southern region under the community development programme; when this agency was appointed; the procedures which were employed by his Department in assigning responsibilities to this agency; the projects which have been established; those which are being assessed; the amount of money paid to this agency each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22745/01]
My Department has contracted with a number of regional support agencies to provide support and advice for projects in the community development support programmes, CDSPs, in order to promote good practice and set standards for their work.
All support agencies are responsible for initial, pre-programme work in particular areas, bringing new projects and areas into the programmes and working with them in drawing up a three year workplan and negotiating their contract with my Department, providing ongoing advice and support for existing projects and promoting the overall development of CDSPs in the region.
Prior to this year, this work was carried out on behalf of my Department by another agency in the southern region. However, over the course of last year, it became clear that the broader structure within which the support agency function was located was not conducive to the best development of the CDSP within that region. In order to address this situation, my Department agreed to a proposal from that agency that the community development support function would become a separate entity from the overall work of the agency. As managers of the CDSP, my Department considered that this proposal would ensure continuity in the support and pre-development work in the region. My Department's primary concern in this process was to ensure that adequate and acceptable arrangements for a support agency were in place as quickly and as efficiently as possible. As a result of these considerations, Teamworks Support Agency was established and was given a one year contract which will be reviewed at end of 2001 with a view to renewal in line with procedures applying to all support agencies in the programme.
The support agency is currently supporting 14 established projects in the region as well as working with seven projects which are in pre-development phase. These projects are included in the following tabular statement which lists all projects currently operational or at pre-development stage in the southern region. Core funding of £265,500, 337,115.46, annually is currently paid to the Teamworks agency to cover salaries, overheads and programme costs.
Community Development Support Projects (CDPs)Ballyphehane/Togher CDP, Cork
Bantry CDP
Farranree CDP, Cork
Mahon CDP, Cork
The Glen CDP, Cork
Cork Travellers Visibility Group
We the People CDP, Hollyhill, Cork
Tralee CDP
Kerry Travellers CDP, Tralee
Family Resource Centre Programmes (FRCs)Castlemaine FRC
Duagh FRC
Le Chéile FRC, Mallow
Midleton FRC
Presentation FRC, Listowel
Shanakill FRC, Tralee
St. Brigids FRC, Tralee
Carrigtohill FRC
Community and Family Support Groups (CFGs)Clonakilty Travellers Group
Cork Social and Health Education Project
Fermoy Young Mothers Group
Kerry County Network of People with Disabilities
South West Kerry Women's Network, Caherciveen
Tralee Women's Forum
Areas currently in pre-development phaseGurranabraher, Cork
Youghal
Cobh
Ballincollig
Kerryhead/Ballyheigue
Bandon
Kilflynn
David Stanton
Question:
357
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
when the community development programme technical group was established; the membership and function of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22746/01]
My Department has for a number of years operated a range of grant schemes and community development support programmes which concentrate on a wide range of supports for local self-help groups, community development, welfare rights and information work, and on the provision of money to enable community groups to pilot initiatives identified as meeting new and emerging community needs.
A technical group was established by my predecessor to assist in the task of selecting new areas and assessing applications for inclusion in community development support programmes. The group's functions were to advise me on applications received from groups for funding under the community development programme, CDP, the family and community services resource centre programme, FRC, and the core funded community and family support groups programme, CFG, collectively known as the community development support programmes, CDSPs. The group also provided ongoing advice on relevant matters arising from the establishment of new CDSP projects and on the identification of new areas for future pro-active targeting exercises. The group assessed and advised on applications from existing CDSP projects for enhanced funding, as in the CDP funding framework and as may be provided for from time to time in the annual budget. It advised generally on my Department's overall package of support for community development, such as matters relating to linkage between the different schemes and support and progression routes for groups as they develop from one level to the next, but not advice on individual applications under LEVEL I and LEVEL II grant schemes.
It was intended that establishment of the group would facilitate greater transparency to the selection procedures for inclusion in the community development programme and bring expertise in community development from outside the Department to bear on the process. The group's membership was drawn from, among others, departmental officials, representatives of the projects already funded under the CDSPs along with representatives from the Combat Poverty Agency and Area Development Management. The original group was appointed for a two years. When the group's term of office expired at the end of 1998 I, having considered the operation of the group and the very worthwhile input and expertise provided by members during their term, approved the renewal of the group for a further two years. As the technical group appointed at that time completed its term earlier this year, I will shortly appoint a new group.
Membership of the new group will be similar to that of the last group but will include the participation of individuals who can bring experience and expertise that reflects the current context of its operation. There will be participation from the regional assemblies and county development boards. While not a representative body, it is proposed to draw the new membership in the same proportion from the various interests in the CDSPs as applied heretofore. The terms of reference for the group, though remaining broadly the same, will also reflect the current context in which the group will operate.
