Jim Higgins
Question:482 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the community development support programme from three years to five years. [11582/02]
Vol. 552 No. 1
482 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the community development support programme from three years to five years. [11582/02]
483 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in the publication of the national evaluation report on the community development support programme; and when the report will be published. [11583/02]
484 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give a commitment to mainstream funding for community development support programmes. [11584/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 to 484, inclusive, together.
My Department operates a number of long-term funding programmes which are collectively referred to as the community development support programme. It includes the community development programme, the family and community services resource centre programme, the programme of core funding to locally based community and family support groups. The purpose of these programmes is to provide seed money to enable locally based community groups to pilot initiatives in relation to poverty and disadvantage. Each project is currently funded on a three year renewable contract basis. There are no plans currently to extend the contract period from three to five years.