Community Services Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2009

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Ceisteanna (290, 291, 292, 293)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

325 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there will be a roll over for the CSP for 2010; and when that will be confirmed. [6081/09]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

326 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the assessment criteria for CSP will be changed for the application process. [6082/09]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

327 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if reapplications for CSP will be assessed on the basis of financial stability. [6083/09]

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

329 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will guarantee current CSP funding until 2013. [6085/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 to 327, inclusive, and 329 together.

The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports a range of community business and social enterprises to deliver a diverse range of local services and employment opportunities. The Programme has a particular focus on employing people who are currently without work or have limited employment opportunities, and delivering services through community and voluntary organisations where gaps exist.

Groups supported by this Programme are required to provide good quality employment opportunities and pay the going rate for the work undertaken. Each group is required to have the ability to earn the required balance of funding from service delivery to ensure its current and future operations are sustainable through service charges, fees and trading income. These requirements are reflected in the application criteria and the on-going monitoring of the programme.

The budget for the Programme for 2009 is €50.85m. Our projections and targets indicate that by the end of the year, between 440 and 450 groups will be operational under the CSP and that approx. 2,600 people will be employed in the delivery of services to their communities.

Funding for 2010 and future years for the Programme will fall for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates process for my Department.

Finally, the Deputy should note that I do not propose to make a call for new proposals under the CSP in 2009.