Local and Community Development Programme Planning

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 March 2014

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Ceisteanna (267)

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

267. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the possibility of local development companies losing the contract to deliver the local community development programme and Leader and becoming unsustainable as result, what contingency plans, if any, have been put in place for the continued delivery of Department of Social Protection programmes currently delivered by LDCs, that is, Tús, rural social schemes, community employment, local employment services, jobs club; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12037/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Local Development Companies support the delivery of a range of programmes and schemes for the Department of Social Protection including Tús, the community work placement initiative, community employment, the rural social scheme and enterprise support to the long term jobseeker wishing to pursue a self-employment option. The Companies deliver the JobClubs and the Local Employment Service for the Department in a number of counties. Delivery of these programmes is not predicated on the companies delivering the Local Community Development and Rural Development Programmes. The Department will continue to work with the Companies in identifying and managing the risks to future delivery of programmes in the context of the changing procurement environment.