Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
292. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the departmental overview that is undertaken regarding administration of moneys granted to voluntary organisations by his Department. [10934/14]
View answer293. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if voluntary sector organisations funded by his Department are required to account for salaries paid as part of the departmental overview of the organisations. [10935/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
My Department supports the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society through a number of schemes. The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is one of my Department’s main social inclusion programmes. Its objective is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities. As part of their contractual obligations under the LCDP, funded organisations are required to submit a range of financial and other reporting documentation including annual audited accounts. The LCDP reporting requirements include overhead costs and salary costs and all documentation is inspected by the Department to ensure compliance with Programme guidelines. My Department also conducts on-site inspections to provide further assurances that the funding received is being used for the purpose intended. Pobal also carries out audits of Local Development Companies on behalf of my Department.
Pobal carries out the same functions in relation to Department funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund. In relation to the Scheme of Support to National Organisations and funding for the Community and Voluntary Pillar, all funded organisations are required to provide progress reports and maintain complete and accurate books of account. In addition, six monthly financial accounts are required to be submitted to the Department and organisations must have an independent firm of auditors. Full audited and certified accounts must be submitted annually, within a specified timeframe, and on-site inspections of the groups funded can take place, with access to all of the funded organisations books and records, where requested , by the Department’s Inspectors.
My Department also funds a network of twenty one Volunteer Centres and associated volunteering organisations which provide and facilitate volunteer supports and initiatives within the community. Prior to receiving funding, each organisation must provide a detailed budget and workplan for the coming year which includes a breakdown on salaries and projected expenditure, and financial statements for the previous year demonstrating that the money was spent according to an agreed plan. Upon receipt of these documents, organisations enter into a contract with my Department which clearly states inter alia that funding is to be used solely for the purposes set out in the workplan as agreed with the Minister. As with other Department funded programmes and schemes, independently audited accounts are required from each funded organisation in the second half of the year for verification that money was satisfactorily spent in line with the contractually agreed workplan.
Under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is available for the provision of accommodation by Approved Housing Bodies to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need including older people, people with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, the homeless, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. The detailed administration of the scheme, including the appraisal of proposals, the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding scheme and the processing of applications for funding, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Eligibility for capital grant assistance is contingent on having approved status under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992.
With regard to homelessness services, my Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities will also provide funding from their own resources. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
My Department also provides funding for the Irish Environmental Network and the Environmental Pillar which would include voluntary sector organisations. The provision of this grant funding is contingent on proper financial procedures and controls being in place which include, inter alia, that monies will be used for the intended purposes, that there is no unapproved overspend without prior consent from the Department, and that signed audited accounts are to be provided to the Department.
The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, which has operated since 1997, promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at local level. These projects involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and various local groups including community groups, schools and environmental NGOs.
The Fund encourages involvement of local communities in local action and decision-making and assists them in working towards the goal of sustainable development. However, my Department does not fund this partnership directly but maintains a co-ordinating role and provides funding to local authorities who are responsible for the administration of the Fund.
My Department has no role in the internal operations of Community and Voluntary Sector organisations and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are for the Board of the company, as the employer, to manage.
