Written Answers Nos. 464-482
464. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of RAPID programme funding on an annual basis in each of the years 2010 to 2016; the allocations for 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50948/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) is aimed at funding projects which will enhance the lives of residents in disadvantaged urban areas and provincial towns. The current RAPID programme is managed locally by the Local Community Development Committees, with support from Local Authorities.
The first table that follows sets out funding provided under RAPID from 2010 to 2016.
The second table provides the allocation for 2017 and the indicative allocation for 2018. The total allocation in 2017 is €5 million. Each Local Authority administrative area received an allocation of €64,500 for RAPID for 2017, with an additional €2.5 million ring fenced for the Dublin North East Inner City area. In addition, €0.5 million is available to honour legacy commitments. These include my Department’s contractual commitments under previous RAPID projects, mainly under the Sports Capital Scheme.
|
Year |
Outturn €'000s |
|
2010 |
6,067 |
|
2011 |
2,269 |
|
2012 |
3,062 |
|
2013 |
261 |
|
2014 |
170 |
|
2015 |
317 |
|
2016 |
32 |
|
Year |
Allocation €'000s |
|
2017 |
5,000 |
|
2018 |
5,000 indicative |
465. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of local authorities with a full-time equivalent broadband officer as of November 2017. [50994/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll 31 local authorities currently employ a Broadband & Telecommunications Officer.
The National Broadband Plan is a Government priority and the Broadband & Telecommunications Officers play a key role in supporting its delivery and in ensuring the overall success of the project.
Broadband & Telecommunications Officers also play an important role in the ongoing improvement of telecommunications and broadband services throughout the country by assisting industry with commercial development, through engagement with key stakeholders at regional fora, and through engagement with local communities and businesses.
Given the importance of the Broadband & Telecommunications Officers to the National Broadband Plan and to the improvement of regional telecommunications in general, my Department will continue to part-fund the employment of a Broadband & Telecommunications Officer in each local authority in 2018.
466. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding provided to a charity (details supplied) in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017; his plans to increase the level of funding; if funding will be provided for the positions of an education officer and an information officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51244/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department has not provided funding to the charity referred to by the Deputy.
467. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount that his Department has spent in each year since 2011 on improving mobile telephone coverage. [50904/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for telecommunications policy falls, in the first instance, under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
However, my Department has been supporting the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in improving mobile phone coverage across Ireland through the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce.
This Taskforce was established in July 2016 to examine solutions to addressing broadband/mobile phone coverage deficits and to identify tangible actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve the quality of services being provided.
The Taskforce published its report in December 2016, and set out 40 actions to be taken to alleviate barriers to mobile reception and broadband access. As part of the Government's commitment to follow through on these actions, an Implementation Group was established earlier this year to oversee their delivery. The Implementation Group is co-chaired by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten T.D., and the Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources & Digital Development, Sean Kyne, T.D.
One of the recommendations made by the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was that each Local Authority should assign an officer with responsibility for broadband and mobile phone services.
My Department provided funding of €1.085 million (€35,000 to each local authority) during 2017 to support the assignment by each Local Authority of a Broadband and Telecommunications Officer. The remit of the Broadband and Telecommunications Officer is primarily to manage interactions with any company that is seeking to roll out telecommunications infrastructure in their county. The Broadband and Telecommunications Officer will also work with the winning bidder(s) in respect of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in the areas to be covered by State intervention.
Quarterly progress reports are published on the status of actions outlined in the Taskforce report, and a comprehensive annual review of 2017 progress will be completed in early 2018.
468. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the local improvement scheme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra469. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the town and village regeneration scheme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra471. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the national rural development schemes, including rural recreation and rural walks measures, in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50938/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra472. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the CLÁR programme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50939/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 468, 469, 471 and 472 together.
My Department delivers a variety of schemes that provide support for the sustainable development of rural communities in line with commitments in the Programme for Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development. These include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the Walks Scheme, the CLÁR Programme and the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
The following table details the budget allocations for all Rural Schemes for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Allocations for 2018 are provisional and subject to the publication of the revised estimates volume for public services.
|
Scheme |
Budget 2016 |
Budget 2017 |
Budget 2018 |
|
Town and Village |
€4,000,000 |
€12,000,000 |
€15,000,000 |
|
Rural Recreation |
€3,283,000 |
€7,553,000 |
€10,383,000 |
|
Walks Scheme |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
|
CLÁR |
€100,000 |
€5,100,000 |
€5,100,000 |
|
LIS |
€0 |
€10,000,000 |
€10,000,000 |
470. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the PEACE programme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2014-2020 (PEACE IV) is a cross-border programme co-financed through the European Union's European Regional Development Fund. It supports peace and reconciliation through actions that promote social and economic stability in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo).
The total value of the current PEACE programme is €270m. Some €229m (85%) will be provided by the EU, with the remaining €41m provided by the Irish (€9m) and UK (€32m) Governments.
My Department provides funding under three themes over the programme period - shared spaces and services, building positive relations and children and young people. The funding allocated by my Department under these themes is detailed in the attached table.
Funding of €0.5m, €0.8m and €3.7m has been allocated by my Department to the Peace and Reconciliation Programme for 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. Annual budget allocations will increase over the programme period in line with anticipated programme activity in relevant years.
Funding is also provided by the Departments of Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs. Details in relation to their roles and funding responsibilities are available from the respective Departments.
PEACE IV – Department of Rural and Community Development Allocations per Priority
The Department of Rural and Community Development is an Accountable Department under the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2014-2020 (PEACE IV) and provides funding under six programme objectives, detailed as follows.
|
Specific Objective |
Title |
Dept. of Rural & Community Development Contribution €m |
EU Contribution €m |
Total Allocated €m |
|
2.2 |
Local Authority Children & Young People |
0.95 |
5.41 |
6.36 |
|
3.1 |
Shared Spaces Capital Development |
1.72 |
9.73 |
11.45 |
|
3.2 |
Local Authority Shared Spaces Projects |
0.93 |
5.30 |
6.23 |
|
3.3 |
Shared Spaces - Victims and Survivors |
0.57 |
3.24 |
3.81 |
|
4.1 |
Building Positive Relationships - Local Authority Action Plans |
1.14 |
6.49 |
7.63 |
|
4.2 |
Building Positive Relationships - Regional Level Projects |
0.53 |
3.01 |
3.54 |
473. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the actual spend to date on the Leader programme under the rural development programme 2014 to 2020, by animation, administration and project spend; the budget allocation in each of the years 2014 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50940/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020, with a total budget of €250 million over the period in question. €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level.
The €220 million funding which has been allocated to the LAGs is provided for the duration of the Programme, rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the LAGs in managing their resources.
Table 1 details the funding allocations provided to LAGs by county under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme. The LEADER areas are, in the main, aligned with the county boundaries. However, Co. Cork includes three LEADER sub-regional areas.
Table 2 details the overall expenditure incurred each year to date under the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme, broken down between Preparatory Support, Administration (which includes Animation), and Project expenditure.
Expenditure under the programme commenced in 2015 and relates to preparatory support payments for the preparation of Local Development Strategies. Funding Agreements for the current LEADER programme were, for the most part, signed with the LAGs in the second half of 2016 and the programme effectively became operational from that date. Project expenditure therefore only commenced in 2017.
While project expenditure currently stands at €258,000 for this year, project approvals have increased significantly since July and I understand that a total of 473 projects have been approved by the LAGs, with a combined value of €12.2 million. Payments will be made in respect of these projects as claims are submitted to my Department through the LAGs.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Allocations per County
|
County |
Programme Allocation (€) |
|
Carlow |
6,416,803.43 |
|
Cavan |
8,522,285.84 |
|
Clare |
8,920,224.65 |
|
Cork |
13,938,823.22 |
|
Donegal |
12,913,877.86 |
|
Dublin |
6,370,438.43 |
|
Galway |
12,195,883.61 |
|
Kerry |
10,219,868.29 |
|
Kildare |
5,261,600.01 |
|
Kilkenny |
7,791,572.91 |
|
Laois |
7,124,586.86 |
|
Leitrim |
5,998,474.74 |
|
Limerick |
9,276,593.96 |
|
Longford |
7,597,623.07 |
|
Louth |
6,101,862.01 |
|
Mayo |
11,121,431.88 |
|
Meath |
6,903,123.57 |
|
Monaghan |
7,592,719.51 |
|
Offaly |
8,036,763.90 |
|
Roscommon |
8,852,659.22 |
|
Sligo |
7,655,647.81 |
|
Tipperary |
10,103,443.28 |
|
Waterford |
7,522,796.18 |
|
Westmeath |
7,384,206.22 |
|
Wexford |
9,840,140.56 |
|
Wicklow |
6,336,549.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€220,000,000 |
Table 2: LEADER 2014-2020 Expenditure broken down per year
|
Year |
Preparatory Support |
Administration |
Projects |
Total |
|
2015 |
€1,251,185.25 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€1,251,185.25 |
|
2016 |
€119,785.45 |
€1,141,135.00 |
€0.00 |
€1,260,920.54 |
|
2017 (to date) |
€97,141.59 |
€9,773,303.17 |
€258,470.91 |
€10,128,916.27 |
474. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the plan for rural development in 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development was launched in January 2017. The Plan was developed as a key instrument to manage the co-ordination of activities across Government which support rural development.
The Action Plan focuses on supporting sustainable communities, supporting enterprise and employment, maximising our rural tourism and recreation potential, fostering culture and creativity in rural communities, and improving rural infrastructure and creativity.
The Plan contains 276 practical actions for delivery across a range of Government Departments, State agencies, and other organisations, with clear timeframes for delivery. The responsibility for funding and delivery of the individual actions rests with the relevant Department for each action.
From my own Department’s perspective, key initiatives to support rural development include the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Rural Recreation Schemes, the Local Improvement Scheme and the CLÁR programme. The allocation for the Rural Development and Regional Affairs programme area of my Department's Vote for 2017 is €80.364 million. The 2018 Estimate allocation for this programme area is €93.2 million, representing an increase of 16% year-on-year.
In addition, many of the initiatives in the Community Development programme area of my Department's Vote will support rural, as well as urban communities. These include the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Facilities scheme, and the Senior Alerts scheme.
475. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocations for the social inclusion and community activation programme in 2016, 2017 and 2018. [50942/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. SICAP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-financing from the European Social Fund and is managed locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) with support from Local Authorities. The programme actions and initiatives are delivered by Programme Implementers (PIs) across 51 Lots.
The SICAP funding allocations for 2016 and 2017 nationally was €37.5m per annum. The indicative allocation for 2018 is €38m, an increase of €0.5m.
476. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount prepaid to local authorities at the end of 2016 for rural development purposes; the schemes under which it was allocated, by local authority; the amount of the funding which has been spent by each local authority on each scheme to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50946/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s programme to support rural development, a number of initiatives including CLÁR, the Rural Recreation Scheme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) were launched during 2016. In general, these initiatives were implemented through the Local Authorities.
All funding was made available in line with the sanction received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and on the basis of funding agreements signed with the Local Authorities.
The following tables outline the amount of funding provided to each Local Authority by programme in 2016 and the most up to date expenditure information available in respect of each scheme. Unless otherwise indicated, the figures reflect the position to the end of September 2017. It should be noted that not all Local Authorities applied for, or were eligible for, every scheme.
This is the latest expenditure information available at this time. However, my Department is continuing to work closely with all relevant Local Authorities to ensure that any remaining funding allocated to them is spent promptly and in accordance with the original project proposals.
|
County |
Total amount disbursed REDZ 2016 |
Grant Expenditure at the 29 Sep 2017 |
Total amount disbursed Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2016 |
Grant Expenditure at the 29 Sep 2017 |
|
Carlow |
€200,000.00 |
€119,379.32 |
€380,000.00 |
€377,855.96 |
|
Cavan |
€200,000.00 |
€72,500.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€260,229.25 |
|
Clare |
€200,000.00 |
€28,736.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€345,157.00 |
|
Cork |
€248,000.00 |
€172,700.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Donegal |
€298,000.00 |
€119,913.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Dublin FINGAL DLR |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€307,074.00 |
|
Galway |
€100,000.00 |
€4,995.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€228,862.00 |
|
Kerry |
€150,195.00 |
€150,195.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€368,221.00 |
|
Kildare |
€100,000.00 |
€79,206.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€139,263.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
€200,000.00 |
€150,073.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€324,831.00 |
|
Laois |
€200,000.00 |
€149,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€162,940.00 |
|
Leitrim |
€300,000.00 |
€235,177.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
|
Limerick |
€300,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€284,507.00 |
|
Longford |
€350,000.00 |
€263,282.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
|
Louth |
€100,000.00 |
€58,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
|
Mayo |
€150,000.00 |
€108,906.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
|
Meath |
€200,000.00 |
€98,700.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€298,260.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€290,000.00 |
€81,295.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€353,316.00 |
|
Offaly |
€414,870.00 |
€29,697.31 |
€380,000.00 |
€37,890.68 |
|
Roscommon |
€100,000.00 |
€100,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€276,086.00 |
|
Sligo |
€800,000.00 |
€322,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€699,221.00 |
€281,526.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€282,728.00 |
|
Waterford |
€100,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€380,000.00 |
|
Westmeath |
€192,000.00 |
€20,745.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€301,289.00 |
|
Wexford |
€100,000.00 |
€41,250.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€302,991.42 |
|
Wicklow |
€150,556.00 |
€21,304.00 |
€380,000.00 |
€234,151.75 |
|
Sub Total |
€6,142,842.00 |
€2,708,579.63 |
€9,880,000.00 |
€7,165,653.06 |
|
County |
Total amount disbursed CLÁR 2016 |
Grant Expenditure at 29th September 2019 |
Total amount disbursed Rural Recreation Scheme 2016 |
Grant expenditure at the 29 Sep 2017 Rural Recreation 2016 |
|
Carlow |
€80,000.00 |
€80,000.00 |
€67,500.00 |
€37,134.05 |
|
Cavan* |
€498,184.00 |
€459,381.00 |
€45,567.00 |
€30,496.00 |
|
Clare* |
€284,000.00 |
€230,000.00 |
€255,625.20 |
€65,000.00 |
|
Cork |
€562,222.40 |
€215,717.92 |
€417,815.15 |
€181,153.15 |
|
Donegal |
€878,632.54 |
€518,832.59 |
€67,991.00 |
€59,831.00 |
|
Dublin FINGAL DLR |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€33,666.94 |
€0.00 |
|
Galway |
€392,000.00 |
€351,656.00 |
€248,950.00 |
€107,170.63 |
|
Kerry |
€744,964.00 |
€589,910.00 |
€288,000.00 |
€107,642.00 |
|
Kildare |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Kilkenny* |
€223,000.00 |
€158,762.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Laois |
€258,900.00 |
€144,500.00 |
€256,000.00 |
€200,000.00 |
|
Leitrim |
€274,800.00 |
€255,000.00 |
€480,000.00 |
€78,645.90 |
|
Limerick |
€235,000.00 |
€235,000.00 |
€291,250.00 |
€240,000.00 |
|
Longford |
€237,560.00 |
€167,983.09 |
€190,000.00 |
€135,000.00 |
|
Louth |
€173,520.00 |
€111,131.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Mayo |
€976,869.00 |
€819,117.00 |
€455,000.00 |
€373,729.00 |
|
Meath |
€127,600.00 |
€122,546.00 |
€50,000.00 |
€50,000.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€356,440.00 |
€339,221.00 |
€273,014.00 |
€191,153.00 |
|
Offaly |
€123,398.00 |
€117,985.00 |
€172,959.00 |
€11,143.00 |
|
Roscommon |
€406,497.40 |
€406,497.40 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Sligo |
€598,400.00 |
€530,000.00 |
€42,562.50 |
€42,562.50 |
|
Tipperary |
€371,000.00 |
€350,561.80 |
€85,208.00 |
€30,170.00 |
|
Waterford |
€261,600.00 |
€237,900.06 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Westmeath* |
€214,280.00 |
€190,134.00 |
€219,590.00 |
€49,916.00 |
|
Wexford |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€189,455.00 |
€75,197.00 |
|
Wicklow |
€70,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Sub Total |
€8,348,867.34 |
€6,631,835.86 |
€4,130,153.79 |
€2,065,943.23 |
* Some additional expenditure under CLÁR was reported in November 2017 by the Local Authorities indicated.
477. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial allocations on an annual basis under the 2014 to 2020 rural development programme per measure 19, support for Leader local development, in tabular form; the annual amount expended on measure 19 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51175/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER, which is referred to at EU level as Measure 19, forms part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and has a total budget of €250 million over the period in question. €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the Local Action Groups (LAGs) throughout the country who deliver the LEADER programme. The remaining €30 million is available for schemes which will be delivered at a national level.
The €220 million funding which has been allocated to the LAGs is provided for the duration of the Programme, rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the LAGs in managing their resources.
Table 1 details the funding allocations provided to LAGs by county under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme. The LEADER areas are, in the main, aligned with the county boundaries. However, Co. Cork includes three LEADER sub-regional areas.
Table 2 details the overall expenditure incurred each year to date under the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme.
Expenditure under the programme commenced in 2015 and relates to preparatory support payments for the preparation of Local Development Strategies. Funding Agreements for the current LEADER programme were, for the most part, signed with the LAGs in the second half of 2016 and the programme effectively became operational from that date from the point of view of project commencement.
Expenditure for 2017 includes preparatory support, administration and animation costs, and project expenditure. Project approvals under LEADER have increased significantly since July and I understand that a total of 473 projects have been approved by the LAGs, with a combined value of €12.2 million. The level of expenditure under the programme is therefore expected to increase significantly as payment claims are submitted to my Department through the LAGs in respect of these projects.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Allocations per County
|
County |
Programme Allocation (€) |
|
Carlow |
6,416,803.43 |
|
Cavan |
8,522,285.84 |
|
Clare |
8,920,224.65 |
|
Cork |
13,938,823.22 |
|
Donegal |
12,913,877.86 |
|
Dublin |
6,370,438.43 |
|
Galway |
12,195,883.61 |
|
Kerry |
10,219,868.29 |
|
Kildare |
5,261,600.01 |
|
Kilkenny |
7,791,572.91 |
|
Laois |
7,124,586.86 |
|
Leitrim |
5,998,474.74 |
|
Limerick |
9,276,593.96 |
|
Longford |
7,597,623.07 |
|
Louth |
6,101,862.01 |
|
Mayo |
11,121,431.88 |
|
Meath |
6,903,123.57 |
|
Monaghan |
7,592,719.51 |
|
Offaly |
8,036,763.90 |
|
Roscommon |
8,852,659.22 |
|
Sligo |
7,655,647.81 |
|
Tipperary |
10,103,443.28 |
|
Waterford |
7,522,796.18 |
|
Westmeath |
7,384,206.22 |
|
Wexford |
9,840,140.56 |
|
Wicklow |
6,336,549.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€220,000,000 |
Table 2: LEADER 2014-2020 Expenditure broken down per year
|
Year |
Total |
|
2015 |
€1,251,185.25 |
|
2016 |
€1,260,920.54 |
|
2017 (to date) |
€10,128,916.27 |
478. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if Pobal funding has been withdrawn for an organisation (details supplied); if so, the reason therefor; the way in which the organisation can review this decision or re-apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has jurisdiction over funding community clubs; the reason Pobal funding has been withdrawn from an organisation (details supplied); the way in which the organisation can review this decision or re-apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 479 together.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a socially inclusive nature. The CSP works on a social-enterprise model which means that it does not fully fund contract holders but requires that they generate revenue by charging fees or raising funds. All CSP recipients are obliged to meet these criteria. These social enterprises also remain responsible for their own budgets and financial liabilities.
The defining characteristic of CSP services is that they are set up to provide social and economic value and are managed as going concerns with business and revenue targets set within a defined business plan. In order to assist sustainability, all CSP service providers should strive for a situation where at least 30% of annual turnover is from traded income, and where the CSP grant is not more than 50% of annual turnover. While this may not be achievable in the short-term for some service providers, it is something to focus on in the medium to long-term and business plans should be orientated towards the achievement of these benchmarks in terms of sustainability.
Services must generate sufficient traded income to be viable and sustainable entities. Services that do not generate sufficient traded income are unlikely to be effective and risk closure and loss of services to their local areas.
The organisation referred to by the Deputy completed a business plan during 2016 as part of the CSP contract cycle. The business plan was submitted to Pobal, which operates CSP on behalf of my Department. Pobal has a proven track record in the administration of public funds and extensive experience in assessing funding applications and business plans.
Pobal assessed this plan under the five standard criteria used - capacity, sustainability, value-for-money, demonstration of need and strategic fit. Significant areas for concern were found with a number of aspects of the service. These included the following:
- Capacity: there was limited information provided within the plan and it failed to make a clear business case;
- Sustainability: while there has been a substantial drop in traded income by the organisation, there are no significant plans outlined to address this in the business plan. Traded income is below the recommended standard of 30% and CSP income is now well above the recommended standard of 50%. The organisation has provided very little information on how its board is dealing with this situation and no specific income-generating plans have been committed to;
- Demonstration of need: the evidence of need provided is considered weak and of poor quality; and
- Strategic Fit: there is little evidence of alignment to the CSP or social enterprise model. The organisation stated that “It is not a feasible project to have a traded income to support staff”.
As a result of this assessment, Pobal recommended that the service should exit the CSP at the end of June 2018 and this recommendation was approved by my Department. The organisation was notified of the outcome of this process on 22 November 2016. Funding is approved for 18 months up to 30 June 2018 at a level of one manager and two full-time equivalent positions (FTEs), after which the service is due to exit the CSP.
The organisation was notified that it could appeal this decision no later than 22 December 2016 with details on the appeals procedure provided. The organisation did not pursue this avenue and the time period for accepting an appeal has passed.
It is open to the organisation to submit a new expression of interest in re-joining CSP in the future, but I would urge them to work closely with their local Pobal representatives before doing so. Any new proposal would need to meet the criteria for the CSP before being approved to go forward to business planning.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
482. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the jobs initiative scheme; the reason persons working on the scheme are being asked to transfer from their existing contracts to one-year contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50755/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Job Initiative (JI) scheme was launched by FÁS in 1996 and transferred to my Department with effect from 1 January 2012. A Memorandum of Agreement for the contract period is completed annually by both my Department and the sponsoring organisations (called Managing Agents) and my Department provides financial funding to schemes towards administration costs, participant and supervisor wages.
Recruitment to JI effectively ceased with effect from 10 November 2004 when the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced that, following a review of FÁS employment schemes, there would be no compulsory lay-offs from JI and that those on JI would have their contracts renewed. This had the result that those already working on the scheme could remain on JI until they either resigned voluntarily or reached retirement age. However, employees have an obligation to fulfil the terms of their employment contracts and abide by the Managing Agents’ procedures.
There are no plans to change the JI scheme and participants will continue to renew their contracts on an annual basis, as required under the JI guidelines.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
