Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2010
147 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when the new contracts for all of the 445 service providers funded by the community services programme will be offered; when they can expect to receive same and will the contracts of all service providers who are currently in place be renewed. [45576/10]
View answerThe Community Services Programme currently funds 445 community based service providers across the country. All contracts are due to expire at the end of 2010 in line with the processes set out for the Programme. Around 315 service providers were required to submit updated business plans during 2010 as part of the process for future support from the programme for the period 2011 to the end of 2013. This process is well advanced with the majority of service providers having received notifications in recent weeks. I expect to consider proposals of the remainder of the contract holders in the coming weeks. In addition, 130 service providers that were approved for the Programme in 2008 and 2009 have been approved to be offered a roll-over of their existing contracts for three years from January 2011. All contracts are subject to satisfactory performance, continued need for the service and provision of public funds.
