Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Development.

Michael Ring

Question:

534 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if funding will be reinstated to the community development support programmes; the funding withdrawal to date and the subsequent number of project workers who have lost their jobs; his plans to ensure these project workers are reinstated; his plans for additional lay-offs of project workers in 2002; his plans to put proper funding in place for the CDSP projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8691/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

My Department operates a number of long-term funding programmes, the purpose of which is to provide core funding for groups involved in anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives in their communities. The funding provided for the community development support programmes in 2002 amounts to €27.65 million and represents an increase of €4.67 million on funding made available to the programmes in 2001.

In general, core funding provided under my Department's community development support programmes provides for the employment of a maximum of two full-time staff equivalent together with the administration and general operating costs of the project. In the 1998 budget, an allocation of £300,000 was made available for projects funded under the community development programme specifically to apply for additional time limited funding for work, usually to cover the employment costs of a worker, necessary to the effectiveness of the programme but not otherwise resourced at that time. This enhanced funding scheme operated from 1998 to 2000, inclusive, during which time a total of €4.475 million, including commitments for 2001-02 has been committed to projects. All funding previously committed under this scheme has been met.

No new applications for funding or applications for continued funding of existing posts were invited in 2001 pending a review of the scheme. This review has been completed and is currently under consideration by my Department. While a decision regarding the future operation of the scheme has yet to be determined, I would emphasise that all existing funding commitments will be honoured.