My Department provides funding to the community and voluntary sector through its many community, housing and environment programmes and initiatives.
The range of programmes and initiatives to support communities includes the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), the Seniors Alert Scheme, RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme, the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising. The LCDP tackles poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. It is a key tool of Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas in society.
The Government’s commitment to enabling rural communities to become self sufficient has been reaffirmed this year through the increased funding it has provided to Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER Axes) of the RDP. The funding available to the RDP has increased from €96m in 2012 to €105m for 2013. The LEADER approach ensures that communities are involved and have a say in their own development choices. In the vast majority of projects, the communities themselves apply for the funding under the Programme.
My Department also implements a Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. This Scheme provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under this scheme to supporting national organisations which provide ‘coalface’ services to disadvantaged target groups. Although this funding is for national organisations, these bodies work on the ground in local communities, for example Barnardos and the Simon Communities of Ireland.
Funding is also provided to various community and voluntary sector organisations for the purpose of promoting environmental awareness and participation in environmental activities. The LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund is designed to assist small scale, local, non-profit environmental projects aimed at increasing environmental awareness and developing sustainable communities. Funding is provided to Environmental NGOs, directly and via the Irish Environmental Network, to assist their participation in environmental activities. Funding is also provided to An Taisce to run the Green Schools Programme.
Under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is provided to approved voluntary housing bodies for the provision of accommodation for older people, people with an intellectual, physical or mental health disability, the homeless, returning emigrants and victims of domestic violence. The administration of the scheme, including the detailed appraisal of new projects and the certification that proposals comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme, is the responsibility of the relevant housing authority. Funding is also allocated to housing authorities on an annual basis under the Social Housing Investment Programme and includes a provision to meet existing commitments for projects that are underway under CAS.
I believe that all these initiatives and programmes combined will continue to enable communities to identify and address their own social and economic needs and allow them to work together to create vibrant and strong communities in Ireland. Compilation of the further detailed information requested in regard to terms and conditions attaching to all the many community programmes and schemes under my Department would involve an inordinate amount of staff time and cost which would not be warranted. If the Deputy wishes to pursue the details of any particular scheme, I or my Department will provide the requested information as quickly as possible. Further details of all of the Department's programmes and schemes can be found at www.environ.ie.
