As I outlined previously to the House, my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion (LDSIP) and Community Development Programmes (CDP), drawing on good international practice and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes.Both programmes have a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).
The new integrated programme requires the development at local level of integrated service delivery mechanisms and structures. The Department has set out a model for this which would result in the full integration of local development companies (e.g. Partnership companies) with the relevant CDPs in the area by end-2010 under a single Board structure. However, the Department has also made it clear that, if proposals emerge at local level for better integration models, the Department will respond constructively.
With the support of my Department and Pobal, the local development companies and the CDPs are now starting the process of programme implementation, including consideration of structural issues.
I am pleased to have been able, in the context of the new programme, to ring-fence funding for community development projects for 2010 and to maintain it at 2009 levels. In few other areas of public spending has it been possible to do this. The indicative allocation for 2010 for the projects referred to by the Deputy is of the order of €263,000.
I am committed to the new programme and to implementing it in the best possible way. My Department will engage positively with all stakeholders who are prepared to engage constructively in that process.