Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of the community services programme, CSP, managed by Pobal, as we are in the run-up to the budget. This issue affects the Huntstown Community Centre and various other community centres in Dublin 15 and nationally, as represented by the national CSP managers' network. As people will be aware, the programme ensures that community centres are provided with support, which is topped up through the social enterprise aspect of the centres and the shortfall is met. The programme creates employment in areas for people who might struggle to secure employment elsewhere. It also provides social, economic and environmental services in communities. We can feel very proud of the programme in terms of what it delivers.

I wish to state that the support aspect of the CSP programme has not been increased since 2009 and stands at €8.65 an hour. As we know, the national minimum wage is currently €10.50 an hour and the living wage is €12.90 an hour. These centres and other partners in the programme have faced Covid but now face ongoing and rising cost-of living charges, and increases. Therefore, we need to examine the programme in the budget as the hourly CSP rate has not increased since 2009. At present, managers earn €32,000 and they seek an increase that will bring their wage up to €40,000, which would be money well spent. They also want the current support of €8.65 an hour increased to the current minimum wage rate.

Tomorrow, 14 July, is the deadline for the community centre investment fund and wish community centres all around the country the best of luck.

I thank my secretarial assistant and agree with Senators who have said today that the secretarial assistant issue must be resolved, as a matter of urgency. Finally, I wish everyone a good recess.