Vol. 572 No. 6
124 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans he has to provide assistance for community and voluntary organisations to enable them to continue providing valuable services to the community, in view of the financial and staffing difficulties that many are now facing, especially in view of the reduction in the number of community employment places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/03]
389 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to assist in community development programmes in 2003, particularly where financial constraints imposed in other Departments have resulted in curtailment of activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24269/03]
391 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has expanded the community support services previously operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24272/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 389 and 391 together.
My Department administers a number of grant schemes to assist voluntary groups to continue providing valuable services for the community. The community development support programme, CDSP, primarily funds community projects to employ co-ordinators, community support workers and administrators. The funding made available to individual projects through the CDSP is designed to cover the core administrative operation of the projects and to provide the catalyst for community development activity in the catchment areas. Earlier this year, I announced the inclusion of an additional 15 groups into the CDSP with effect from September 2003. In all, €21.3 million will be provided for groups funded under the CDSP in 2003.
My Department also administers the scheme of once-off grants to voluntary organisations. This scheme provides funding for voluntary organisations for such activities as the purchase of equipment or the running of training courses. I have provided €2.356 million for this scheme in 2003. My Department also administers the scheme of community support for older people, CSOP, that provides funding for the provision of security alarms for elderly people living alone. I have provided funding of €3.44 million for this scheme in 2003.
In September I announced the successful applicants on two major White Paper funding initiatives – the scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector and the scheme for training and supports in the community and voluntary sector. Together these schemes will direct €7.4 million in funding to support 58 organisations in the community and voluntary sector over the coming three years. Funding provided by my Department does not cover the type of project work funded through community employment schemes. As the Deputy will be aware, the operation of the community employment programme is a matter for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
