Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2008
345 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on the proposed 33% cut in funding for Pobal; the projects and programmes which have been affected by this reduction in funding for the organisation; the effect of the reduced budget on social inclusion programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46287/08]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, funding for my Department for the year 2009 is reduced by a total of 6%, with current expenditure reduced by 5% and capital expenditure by 8.5%.
As previously indicated to the House, my primary concern is to make every effort to ensure that the front-line services provided by, or supported through, my Department — especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities — are protected. This is being achieved by requiring significant administrative savings in my own Department and public bodies within its ambit; through the cessation of the use of intermediary bodies, such as community development support agencies; and by reducing administrative overheads across bodies such as Pobal. The reduction in the administration funding available to Pobal reflects an emphasis on the prioritisation of front-line services over intermediary and ancillary supports.
In this way, the wide range of services my Department provides, including services under its social inclusion programmes, can be broadly maintained.
346 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be allocated to a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46297/08]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy operates two groups from the address in question. Both of these groups have reached the €30,000 annual funding limit set for any individual group operating the Scheme.
This limit is in place to ensure that (i) the Scheme maintains its local focus and (ii) there is a fair distribution of the available resources across the country. The area in which this organisation is situated has a large number of groups involved in providing assistance under the CSOP and the limit generally only comes into play where groups operate on a wider basis. I believe that the level of funding available is adequate to meet the needs likely to arise in any one year in any neighbourhood or parish.
Where a group has received applications which exceed the €30,000 limit in a year, my Department has facilitated passing on the excess to other community and voluntary groups in the immediate area who can ensure that the older person's security needs are met. If difficulties are experienced in this regard, the group should contact my Department directly.
In this specific instance, an official from my Department has been in contact with the group involved and has arranged for the required equipment to be installed immediately.
