Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
770. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to increase supports for Pobal-funded community service programmes, in particular those run by an organisation (details supplied) that requests an increase in core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47941/22]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model, by providing an annual co-funding contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, €32,000 towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts, the 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.
The organisation in question receives a contribution towards the cost of a manager and three full-time equivalents of €89,099. In addition, the organisation also received funding of €71,035 under my Department's 2020-21 Covid Stability Fund and a further €4,661 under the 2021 CSP Support Fund.
Following an independent review of the CSP, the programme is currently being redesigned. As part of the restructuring process, I have recently approved a new funding rate allocation model for the CSP, as an alternative to the current flat rate payment model. This will provide a sustainable funding model for the CSP taking account of the earning potential of the funded organisations.
The revised funding rates to apply from January 2023 under the restructured programme will be announced in the coming weeks. It is anticipated that all existing organisations will transition to the new programme in January 2023 following an online application process which is currently open and will run until 14th October.
My Department has provided a variety of schemes to support community organisations, including the Community Activities Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme which provided supports for overhead costs etc and the most recently launched €15m Community Centres Investment fund. I also recently announced a continuation of the CSP Support Fund in 2022, pending the transition to the redesigned programme in 2023. In addition, the organisation concerned should consider contacting their Local Community Development Committee in their Local Authority Area and their Local Development Company, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time from various Departments.
