Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman. I also thank Senator John Crown for placing this important matter on the agenda. I have a detailed response which will help to clarify how the schemes are funded and assessed. I can respond again should the Senator wish to raise further issues.

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, I am pleased to have an opportunity to address the Seanad on the funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. The funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding for national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new scheme commenced from 1 July. The overall budget for 2014, including the previous scheme and the new one, is some €3.1 million.

During 2013 the Department carried out a review of the scheme which found that it had fulfilled its main objective of providing multi-annual funding for national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. The review recommended that organisations be required to demonstrate clearly the added value of the work proposed. The effective use of core funding in recipient organisations also requires that robust governance and cost control procedures be in place within these organisations.

The new scheme was advertised for applications earlier this year. Pobal was asked to undertake an assessment of the applications received, given the organisation's significant experience and expertise in terms of the design of assessment criteria and completion of assessment functions.

Two well-attended information sessions were hosted by the Department and Pobal during the application process to outline the requirements of the new scheme. Application guidelines were also issued that outlined the scoring process, including capacity of the organisation, strategic fit, demonstration of need, achievability of the proposal and value for money. Organisations were provided with support in the application process, including a dedicated e-mail address as a preferred contact method to deal promptly with queries. Inquiries were also dealt with by telephone.

Some 157 applications were received by Pobal. Of these, three did not meet the basic eligibility criteria. The remaining 154 applications were appraised by Pobal against the criteria as outlined in the application guidance. In order to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and taking into consideration the results of the appraisal process, 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016.

Pobal has put in place a dedicated team to deal with inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. There is also an appeals process and Pobal has provided applicants with detailed information on it. As the appeals process is now live, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the funding process or the application of any particular organisation.