Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021
392. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to increase the State contribution to community service projects on the islands to cover the full minimum wage and the employer’s PRSI in view of the difficulty on the islands in attracting a large local income stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35074/21]
View answerThe Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports more than 420 community organisations to provide local employment opportunities and social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model.
CSP funding of €19,033 is provided for each Full Time Equivalent (FTE) position and €32,000 for each manager position, where warranted. The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts, rather it is a fixed annual co-funding contribution towards the overall cost of the employees. The CSP contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
In 2020, Indecon International Economic Consultants, on behalf of my Department, carried out an independent review of the CSP. The Indecon report was published on 30th September last, following which my Department and Pobal commenced work on the restructuring of the programme. As part of this ongoing work, the rates of funding and eligibility criteria under the programme will be reviewed.
