Community Services Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2016

Thursday, 30 June 2016

Questions (39)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has increased the contribution to the community services programme in line with the increase in the national minimum wage; if the programmes have as of yet received this funding; if he can provide assurances that the contribution to the community service programmes will be increased in line with any future increases in the national minimum wage as set out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18694/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The community services programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a social inclusion nature. Many of these companies are also funded from other sources and generate revenue from the public use of their facilities and services. The contribution from the CSP is towards the wage costs of the companies and is on the basis that the services are not fully self-financing or the cost of provision would be prohibitive on users. My Department does not set the wage rate but requires the payment of appropriate wage rates, consistent with local norms.

In 2015, 398 companies received a contribution towards the wage costs of just over 1,700 employees. The funding is managed and administered on behalf of the Department by Pobal. A process has been put in place to assist and support existing funded companies who are not in a position to cover the increase in the minimum wage for 2016.

Pobal and the Department are currently examining these submissions and will be communicating with the companies in the coming weeks.