Brian Stanley
Question:555. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for funding local development programmes from 1 January 2014. [27164/13]
View answerTuesday, 11 June 2013
Questions (555)
Written answers
My Department is responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities, including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) to which I assume the question refers.
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. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas and communities.
Given the current economic situation and the high level of unemployment, the LCDP is more relevant than ever insofar as it creates employment opportunities and gives those most distant from the labour market the skills to access training and jobs. The Programme has four high level goals focusing on supporting activities that enhance access to services, provides education and lifelong learning supports for individuals, employment supports for individuals and supports for community development activities.
The Programme is delivered at a local level by the national network of local development companies. Budgets for the LCDP are communicated to implementing organisations on an annual basis. Funding for 2014, and beyond, will fall to be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.