Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
409. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the process by which an organisation can apply for the Pobal community services programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63121/22]
View answer410. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends to reopen Pobal community services for new applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63125/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
My department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, 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 other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
My department and Pobal have been working on the restructuring of the CSP since the publication in 2020 of the report on the independent review of the CSP by Indecon International Economic Consultants. The redesigned programme will be introduced from January 2023 with a new funding rate allocation model, to replace the existing flat rate model.
Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is closed to new applications through the Expression of Interest process. However, it is anticipated that the programme will open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in the new year. Any additional entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.
If an organisation wishes to be contacted should a targeted call open in the near future, they can provide relevant contact details to csp@drcd.gov.ie and they will be notified at the appropriate time.
