Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 92: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the local and community development programme is being rolled out nationally; if he will detail its success to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14833/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In January 2010, the Local and Community Development Programme superseded the Community Development and the Local Development Social Inclusion Programmes.

The objective of the new Programme is to tackle poverty, and social exclusion through partnership, and constructive engagement between Government, and its agencies, and people in disadvantaged communities.

As part of its four high level goals, the Programme supports individuals into employment, and self-employment through education, training, work experience, job placement, enterprise, and the social economy in both urban and rural areas.

The Programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of my Department and is delivered at a local level by the nationwide network of 51 Local Development Companies. This year some €55m has been allocated to the Programme.

In July 2011, a review of the Programme was carried out. The focus of the review was on the performance in relation to a number of high priority indicators concerning leverage of resources (Goal 1), education and training (Goal 2), and labour market activities (Goal 3).

While it is early in the life of the new Programme, the 2010 performance (when examined against a range of indicators, 6 case studies and a random sample of 15 area strategic plans) indicates:

· progress on establishing outcomes;

· a provision for enhanced monitoring and planning;

· a strategic collaboration with other agencies; and

· functioning links between providers.

The following information provides figures in relation to the performance of the Programme in 2010:

· Out of 30,140 participants, 24,640 were new beneficiaries (82%);

· Nearly 43% of participants were long term unemployed;

· 12,112 individuals received education/training supports;

· 4,649 individuals participated in accredited courses;

· 2,324 individuals gained certified qualifications;

· 4,595 were supported into employment;

· 1,568 individuals were assisted or placed in employment with slightly more women than men, and 3,027 were supported into self-employment, with the majority of these being men (2,328); and

· 3,565 people received new enterprise supports.

Overall, I am satisfied that the objectives of the Programme are being met. The programme will continue to support the participation and empowerment of local communities in tackling disadvantage, and will have an emphasis on front-line support, and service provision. Operating and overhead costs are being kept to a minimum, which, in the current climate, is essential and provides for resources to be directed in a targeted, and effective, manner to ensure that those we work to assist will receive maximum benefit.