Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
416 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an application for funding on a contingency basis will be favourably considered for an organisation (details supplied) which caters for a vulnerable community but which has had to announce a cessation of operations this year. [30923/12]
View answerMy Department is responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).
The LCDP superseded the Community Development Programme and the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme in January 2010. The objective of the LCDP is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. The Programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of my Department and delivered at a local level by the nationwide network of Local Development Companies (LDCs). Funding of some €55m has been provided under the Programme for 2012.
My Department is aware that the Local Development Company (LDC) based in Galway — Galway City Partnership — provided support to the start-up process for the group referred to in the Question, and currently, has the lead role in the operation and management of an information, advocacy and support service to migrants and their families in Galway City through the conduit of the LCDP. Funding for this service has been sourced from the Department of Justice and Equality's European Integration Fund (€114,078 in 2012), with Galway City Council providing €10,000 support.
The LDC may also be able to offer some small-scale support in 2012 in the context of a facilitative and advocacy role, through minor grant support, if requested, subject to the activity fitting within the LCDP programme framework. The LDC, in addition, is the lead agency of the Migrants Service Project, which is European Integration funded. If any aspect of this service can be of benefit to Galway Refugee Support Group, it will be made available. All funding applications would have to be considered by the Board of the LDC, and, therefore, the group should contact the Company directly regarding any potential future funding.
The LDC can be contacted as follows:
Galway City Partnership,
3, The Plaza,
Headford Road,
Galway.
Phone: 091 773466. Email:info@gcp.ie.
