Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1525. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the full-year cost of matching the contribution to the community services programme to the national minimum wage rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1221/18]
View answer1544. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Pobal-funded organisations can reduce working hours at their discretion in view of the fact that Pobal provides a block employment grant based on working hours with no allowance for the increase in the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1618/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1525 and 1544 together.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and a specified number of full time equivalent positions.
The CSP contribution is based on a 39-hour working week. It is not aligned to the national minimum wage, rather it is a fixed annual contribution that is required to be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services. Accordingly, CSP funded organisations must maintain the 39-hour working week for supported positions notwithstanding the increase in the national minimum wage.
The funding allocation for the programme in 2018 is €46.2m. It would cost an additional €3m to match the increase in the national minimum wage in 2018.
Responsibility for the CSP transferred to my Department on 1 January 2018. My immediate priority is to ensure its smooth transfer to my Department and maintain continuity of service for funded organisations. My Department plans to commence a review of the CSP later in 2018.
