Community Services Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2015

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Questions (153)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

153. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a recently submitted application for funding by a community and enterprise centre (details supplied) in County Donegal, which sought funding through the community services programme for additional staffing for the centre and which funding was only partially granted, will be re-appraised; if she is aware that the facility requires these additional staff members if it is to continue to provide services to the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42617/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The applicant applied to the Community Services Programme (CSP) for funding to support the management and staffing of a community service facility. The CSP provides direct funding support in the form of subsidies for the employment of permanent staff to deliver a broad range of services. The service providers supported by this programme operate on a community business or social enterprise model and generate the majority of the income needs for their operations from non-public sources.

Based on an assessment of the application submitted, other DSP staffing resources committed to the company and the financial standing of the company, the level of resources offered are considered adequate. Significant public resources are already committed to services at this centre under other programmes. Should the company take up the offer of the contract, additional funding for permanent staff can be considered as services at the centre develop further.