Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
73. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to set out the total amount of money allocated to each project in the Cork area under community development programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10461/24]
View answerSome of the key Community Development funding allocations approved by my Department for County Cork include:
• €4.9 million for the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme.
• €2.96 million for the Community Services Programme.
• €344,000 for the Community Support Fund.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. This is a national programme that is delivered in both rural and urban areas by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need.
SICAP is delivered in Cork by 7 LDCs with funding in excess of €4m allocated for 2024. A further €881,000 is allocated through SICAP to support the LDCs to continue their work to support Ukrainian and International Protection Applicants.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 27 organisations in County Cork with funding of €2.96m for 2024, supporting 17 managers and 98 full time equivalent positions.
In excess of €344,000 was provided under the Community Support Fund to a large number of groups/ organisations in Cork between December 2022 & March 2023.
Public Participation Networks (PPNs) provide representation for the community sector in Local Authority policymaking structures, giving local volunteers a great say in local government decisions. Funding of €171,400 has been allocated in Cork for 2024.
Volunteer Centres provide a placement service between individuals and groups who want to undertake voluntary activity and organisations that are seeking to involve volunteers. Their primary function is to match individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate volunteering opportunities.
In 2024 DRCD allocated €146,393.50 in grant funding to Cork Volunteer Centre to carry out their work.
Additionally, funding of €142,200 is allocated to Cumann na Daoine from Dormant Accounts for 2024. This funding supports the main community development and social inclusion project in Youghal by providing funding towards three posts: Developmental Manager, Project (Centre) Co-ordinator and an Administrator. It also provides funding towards 2 Community Development workers to support the Youghal Blue and Green Community Network which addresses environmental issues and engages the local communities in climate change actions.
€80,000 in match funding has been committed over 4 years to Ballyhoura Development towards the Citizen Centred Social Services (CITICESS) project. This is a collaboration with a number of European municipalities interested in developing holistic approaches to service delivery for vulnerable groups.
Funding of €140,000 is allocated to Cork City Partnership LDC through Cork LCDC for delivery of the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) in the Knocknaheeny area. The ECP aims to enhance community access to key services, and empower local communities to craft their own response to area based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences, with the support of the relevant LCDC.
Tables outlining funding allocations to individual organisations are attached.
The below tables outline the Current funding allocated to Community Development Organisations in Cork
