Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1053. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of supports for community centres that will be facing serious financial problems due to the limits placed on the numbers allowed to attend the centres at any one time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9469/20]
View answerCommunity facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. Supports provided by my Department help people to participate in the development of their communities and also provide funding to improve community facilities.
My Department funds the Community Services Programme (CSP) which supports over 400 community organisations to provide local services. Funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department recently developed a Support Fund which provides an additional once off payment to CSP organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020, ensuring that they can pay their full-time CSP supported employees a maximum of €350 net per week, with a proportionate amount for part-time CSP supported employees.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides small capital grants for facilities in both rural and urban areas. My Department is considering the appropriate approach for many of its programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Community Enhancement Programme is being considered in that context.
Other funding provided by my Department that can benefit rural community centres are the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme. Details can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/216837-the-rural-development-and-regional-affairs-division/ .
