Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. He will be aware that this Government is committed to supporting and enabling a strong community sector. It is my role to ensure that is delivered. In addition to the commitments in Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A Five-Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland 2019-2024, published in August 2019, there is a very specific commitment in the programme for Government to introduce, on a phased basis, a number of projects similar in approach to community development projects. In response to this commitment, my Department announced the introduction of a pilot community development programme which will consist of up to eight projects promoting an autonomous approach to community work with marginalised communities. Initial funding of €1 million was secured for 2021 and it is expected that the programme will continue for three years.

The overall aim of the community development pilot programme is to trial community development initiatives that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality and promote human rights. The pilot programme will seek to develop community development responses to a range of social, economic and environmental concerns. In line with community development principles, the idea is to facilitate an empowering, collaborative approach to building relationships and to undertake co-operative initiatives between marginalised groups, mainstream services and decision-making bodies. Overall, we want to examine the benefits of an autonomous approach to community development with regard to existing, new and emerging issues. We want to ensure that those on the very front line of grassroots community work are empowered to identify and deliver in a proactive and reactive way, based on local knowledge of needs. The focus is on community development organisations working, or seeking to work, at local level to address issues in areas such as racism, domestic or sexual violence, migration, gender, people living in direct provision or seeking international protection, climate action and just transition.

The programme opened for applications in March and, due to the large number of high-quality submissions received, my Department is undertaking a two-stage assessment process to examine the applications against the eligibility criteria set out. It is expected that successful applicants will be notified at the end of May. This is a change from the original target of the end of April indicated in the initial information and guidance. All applicants have been advised of the revised timeline.

As the Senator will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage on any individual application that may be under consideration as part of this process, including any application from the Attic House CLG. I am grateful to every organisation that has submitted an application and I am very encouraged by the overall level of interest that has been generated. I am also aware of the important work that the Attic House CLG does for young people in Longford and I wish it every success in its ongoing activities.

In total, 123 applications were received in my Department, representing local communities and local development organisations working at local level to address issues facing marginalised groups. Some areas of work covered in applications include: work with Travellers, Roma and migrants; projects working to address domestic violence; projects working with marginalised women and children; addiction supports and mental health projects; and projects relating to gender issues, climate action, just transition and many other areas. Applications were submitted by organisations across all 26 counties.

I would also like to highlight that, in late 2020, I announced funding of €254,000 to support the work of the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training, AIEB, between 2020 and 2022 in order to support the future growth and development of community work in Ireland.At the time of the funding announcement, I reiterated my desire to see further growth in grassroots community work, and I do so again today.