My department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and the delivery of local services through a social enterprise model.
I wish to advise the Deputy that a letter was issued on 13 December 2022 from my office to the manager of the organisation in question, in response to their correspondence regarding plans to extend the meals on wheels service and their request for additional staff resources to be funded under CSP. This letter advised that, in view of the restructuring of the CSP Programme and the transition of existing organisations supported under CSP to the new programme in January 2023, applications for additional resources were not being considered at that time. The response from my office also advised that while the programme is currently closed to new applicants, the organisation could provide their details to the department's dedicated email address csp@drcd.gov.ie and would be contacted should a new call be announced. Finally I wish to advise that it is my intention to re-open the CSP Programme to new applicants shortly.