Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
378. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans for the 2014 community services programme funding for an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9023/14]
View answerThe community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in service delivery and disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. The programme is funded by the Department with day-to-day management of contracts undertaken by Pobal. Some 425 not-for-profit companies and co-operatives shared annual funding of €46m from the programme in 2013. Contract holders must deliver tangible services that are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising and other public funds. The programme is not intended to represent full-funding for any operation.
Each contract holder is responsible for its own budgets, income, financial and other liabilities. Contracts are generally offered on a three-year cycle based on a business plan or similar submitted by the company. Continued funding is subject to satisfactory compliance with the programme’s operational requirements, financial position of the company, continued eligibility of the company and service, progress on delivery of the stated objectives in the business plan, and an assessment of a business plan for the following three year contact cycle. A regular review process is undertaken to ensure compliance with contract obligations, audit issues, continuing capacity of the organisation to manage public funds, the need for and quality of service delivery, sustainability, and value for money.
A re-contracting process for the period 2014-16 for organisations operating under the Community Services Strand of the programme was undertaken in 2013. This involved the submission of business plans by contracted organisations. These business plans and past performance were reviewed by Pobal and the conclusions submitted to the Department for consideration and decision. The business plan and operations of the company referred to by the Deputy was reviewed under this process. The company in question was approved for a funding contribution for one full-time manager post and four full-time equivalent posts (FTE) up to end of 2013 with a total value of €108,132 pa. The business plan submitted by the company as part of the 2014-16 review process was considered to have limitations including the demonstrated level of activity for the level of funds granted. The level of output delivered by the company was considered low when compared with similar services.
The Department is concerned about the value for money being delivered for the high level of public funds provided to the company. Overall, the total service users of 136 are far below the average of 3,229 for the sector. The Department made a decision to withdraw funding from June 2014 as funding did not represent a good or appropriate use of public funds. The company has been offered an opportunity to seek a review of the decisions made.
